Conditioning

Our troop was selected to participate in the Philmont Trek this June.  I've been to Philmont before, so I have a good idea what to expect.  The part that scares me the most, is that our trek is scheduled for early June.  With May being a busy month for graduations, confirmations, track meets, and school finals, it will make it hard for our crew to be completely ready.  

This spring has been difficult with the weather as well.  The Denver area keeps getting spring snow storms.  Although the snow melts quickly here, it seems to snow on the weekends when we need the time to do practice hikes.

We were able to get out to the trails this past weekend.  We went up to Halls Ranch near Lyons, CO.  There is a 10 mile loop.  We had 7 crew members with us.  One of the boys decided weight was important.  Which I could not disagree.  He put two 25 pound weights and a 10 pound weight in his pack.  If we add in all the other stuff he was carrying, we think he got up to 70 pounds.  Well by the time we hit mile 2, 35 pounds needed to be shifted to other packs.

The 10 miles was good. No one complained about blisters.  So I'm feeling the boys will do well.  They all should be walking and working out over the next 7 weeks before we go down to Philmont. 

Like anything... preparing and conditioning your body is going to be a key to a fun and successful trip.

Be Prepared

So now that I am a Scoutmaster, I am suppose to do a Scoutmaster's Minute at our meetings.  Since the boys run the troop meetings, I don't know when I am going to actually get my minute.  I had one Senior Patrol Leader who wouldn't give me the opportunity.  He made Eagle recently and I told him I have stored up all those minutes for his Court of Honor.

Be Prepared...

It sounds like a simple Motto.  This was the topic I used at the last scout meeting.  I have a lot of Scouts coming from baseball practice, martial arts, and piano practice to name a few activities.  I have been telling my scouts, that they know our meetings are every Monday night.  They should leave the house prepared for the day and that includes being ready for Scouts.  They wouldn't show up to their other events without the items they need, right?   Can't practice football without pads and a helmet.   Can't practice piano without music sheets.  So why not Scouts.  I expect my Scouts to come in uniform, something to write on, a pen, neckerchief, slide, and their scout book.

You just need to think a little ahead...  For work, if we have a presentation, we don't just show up.  We think about it and bring PowerPoints, our computers and handouts.  For Dinner, we wash our hands.  For Church, we dress nice and mentally get ready.  There are many, many things we need to Be Prepared for.

Somewhere in my Scoutmaster's minute I will work in something to support the parents at home.  I'll mention homework and chores.

Until next time...

Back to Posting

Wow!  Time has flown by...fast.  It's been a few years since posting my last post.  I'm going to try to post something every few weeks.

I'm now a Scoutmaster of a very active troop.  It is amazing how much I can continue to learn from the boys.  Seems like they come up with "What can we do to challenge this guy?" game. 

Stay tuned for more posting...

YIS,

Scouter Steve

Ceremonies

The end of the Scouting year has come for me.  Our Cub Scout Pack had a cross-over ceremony to promote each den level to their next level.  I am a big fan of ceremonies in scouting and in life in general.

For our Cub Scout Ceremony we had the typical bridge.  We did the typical neckerchief change.  This time around, I place a decorated drum on one side of the bridge.  I instructed the Scouts to declare their year an end, by striking the drum once before crossing the bridge.  Ahhhh… I think it added that extra little bit to make it EXTRAORDINARY!  

It’s important for all of us to have some sort of ceremony when we change or end something.  When I recently left a job, the office organized a get together at one of the local bar&grills.  When I received my MBA, the university recognized our hard work through a commencement ceremony and my family through a party. 

You might think, it’s not that big of a deal.  I know I completed the task and that’s all I need.  You might want to rethink that thought.  There is POWER to the ceremony.  The act of self recognition or even the event of closure has a big impact on your psyche.

A funeral is a ceremony.  It’s really not for the deceased.   It’s for the rest of us for closure and celebration of life.   

The last part of the Cub Scout Cross-over was a change of command ceremony.  I stepped down from being the Cubmaster.  So I created a ceremony to remove the Akela headdress from me.  My wife removed it from me and the wife of our new Cubmaster put it on the new Cubmaster.  Involving the wives symbolized their behind the scene support.   I think the ceremony gives a couple of meanings for the Pack.  First, the Pack now knows who is running the show and second, the new Cubmaster has formally been given his authority.  I made up an oath to go along with the transition as well.

When we give kids their ranks or their awards, we should not just put it in a plastic baggy and hand it to them.  If we, as adults, don’t make it a big deal, the kids won’t think it’s a big deal either.

Make events EXTRAORDINARY!!

Lead by Example,

Scouter Steve