The Bloggers
Original site: commissionerkeith.blogspot.com (opens in a new tab) ↗
Showing 51–100 of 165 · page 2 of 4. Each title opens the post in a new tab.
Where did Halloween go? I remember a time when kids went trick or treating and had fun going door to door for candy, fruit, and popcorn balls. Halloween parties challenged you to create your own costume (nothing was store bought), bobbed for apples, played a game called, "Sardines."
The Scout Law states that a Scout is: Trustworthy Loyal Helpful... I want to stop with Helpful because that is exactly what good scouts do. They help. Recently, I helped run an event that was very successful in the eyes of everyone that attended and staffed the event.
Recently, I was asked to make some phone calls to scout families that seemed to have vanished from the scouting program. A simple follow up call was needed to reach out and find out what happened to the scouts in question.
In Scouting, no matter what the program or activity, Leave No Trace should never be an after thought. Picking specimen samples of foliage or stones does harm the environment and should never be practiced. Recently my scout friends and I conducted an outdoors event that proved to be highly successful however; one of the comments…
44 Scouts and about the same number of adults participated in the 2010 Webelos Woods event at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary and in spite of the rain, no one showed any signs of displeasure in the events offered nor were their spirits dampened by the precipitation that fell throughout the day.
Labor Day, now marks 5 days away from the Webelos Woods event that I have spent months to plan with my scout friends Shawn Cleary, Bob Hawkins, and Pat Laes. The event, which will be held on Sat. Sept. 11, will host Webelos scouts participating in a wide variety of events for Naturalist, Outdoorsman, Forester…
You know that line, " A funny thing happened to me on the way to....?" Well a couple of interesting things happened to me yesterday and the first one was when Ed Gerczak and I stopped for breakfast, in Suring, on the way to Dad and Lad Camp.
Took a road trip with the family this past weekend and my family and I spent time at 6 Flags Amusement park in Illinois and then took the Milwaukee Zoo. Not really all that excited about 6 Flags, being a former amusement ride operator for 14 yrs., I tried to keep an open mind about…
What would the world today be like if everyone was a scout? Imagine every single person living the oath, motto, and law of a scout. For starters, had the Executives at BP been in scouts; would there be the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico right now?
It seems that every time I look back at my scouting life, and it is far from over (I hope); I am increasingly more amazed at what a scout can do or what can happen if a scout does his best.
I was watching the shining light concert from the BSA National Jamboree at Fort A.P Hill, and I was thinking about some of the people that should be heroes or at least friends of the BSA. Cheers to: United States Soldiers (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard)-these servicemen and women do incredible things to…
The Boy Scout National Jamboree was televised on the Internet via the National Jamboree Website in conjunction with Facebook, Twitter, and other sites. The show should have been on national television with the BSA celebrating 100 years of scouting. Highlights included "Dirty Jobs" star Mike Rowe, the Trinidad and Tobago Steel Drum Band, the US…
Interesting title for a scout post, isn't it? Let me start by apologizing for the double negative in the title. Webster's dictionary defines the word no as: Pronunciation: \
There's an old saying that is still repeated by scouts and scouters throughout the world and that saying is, "What happens at camp, stays at camp." Well, I am going to expose exactly what happens at camp and use Johnny Scout as a classic example for this post.
Commissioner Keith Comments: Scouting's Best Kept Secrets : "There's an old saying that is still repeated by scouts and scouters throughout the world and that saying is, 'What happens at camp, stays at..."
Commissioner Keith Comments: The Falling Eagles : "I know four scouts, all of which have earned the rank of Life Scout, and have the potential to become Eagle Scouts. One scout has completed ..."
I know four scouts, all of which have earned the rank of Life Scout, and have the potential to become Eagle Scouts. One scout has completed his project and all that's left is the paperwork and he is stalled in the process of finishing the paperwork.
The Boy Scouts of America seems to have cornered the market on scouting awards for all levels of the scout program and if one looks to other scouting programs in other countries; you will never find more available awards to honor scouts with than within the BSA.
Okay...sorry folks...the rant is on! As the former Webelos to Scout Transitions Chair in Voyageur District, I am getting a bit tired of hearing how the transition numbers are not up to par when a program was suggested that does retain scouts, promotes the next step within the scouting program, and gets parents to become…
This is probably one of the most unusual titles that I have come up with but there are several parallels the Boy Scouts of America have in common with the railroads of the United States. Scouting like the American railroad began with humble beginnings and it grew through blood, sweat, and tears.
Big Smokey Waterfalls in Shawano County, Wisconsin It's camping time, actually camping time is 365 days of the year, but now it the time that most people love to go camping because the season in Wisconsin is better suited for most to be comfortable without the extra gear that must be packed in cold weather…
In a recent Skype conversation with a scouter friend of mine, from Australia, the conversation turned to a topic on "whom do you serve?" An interesting question that was posed to me and there are several answers that are available and in no particular order: I serve the scouting program I serve myself I serve…
Congratulations to Dale Coyne Racing team for finishing 4th at Indy. It was fun watching a BSA indy car race around the track in an event that was seemingly more a chess match than the "floor it and go!" racing I have seen recently.
One hundred years ago, boy scouts communicated with each other via semiphore flags, morse code, the written letter, and maybe made the occassional telephone call. For today's scout, communication is available through emails, text messaging on cell phones, the telephone is still used, and some will even communicate via hand gestures.
D is for the Delight you show us, for the popsicle art we made for you. E is for the extra smile you shared. N is for the Nestles in our milk. M is for the money that you gave me O is for the Oreos you fed us, when the den needed a snack.
Today I was able to help a fellow scouter by answering some questions he had on international scouting and I was, fortunately, able to help answer the questions he posed and was also able to direct him to 2 other contacts that are very willing to assit him in his quest to create a scouting…
This post is about how some scout leaders lose their compass or sense of scouting direction and hopefully this article will help re-focus what is suppose to be the ultimate goal in scouting: to make sure that the scouting program is both fun and safe.
Recently, I volunteered to help with the Voyageur District's Derby event which included the pinewood derby cars, the rain gutter regatta boats, and the rocket racers and after the event was over; a young scout came up to me and asked i he could help with the breakdown of the regatta equipment that was used.
I would like to start out by wishing you all a very Happy Easter and hope that the the bunny is good to you. I for one love the Easter Bunny and although I have never seen the bunny, I have been the recipient of some wonderful gifts which have included colored eggs, chocolates, and…
Recently, I stepped down as an Assistant Commissioner and while being away from that part of the scouting program, I have found that several scouting friends and acquaintences do still approach me for counsel and advice on issues that they have within their respective units.
Recently, I had a discussion with a couple of scouting moms that were complaining about the economy and how they could afford to send their sons to camp and still be able to allow them to have a souvenir keepsake from that camp without spending more funds than they could afford.
100 years ago, William Boyce, brought scouting from England, via several discussions with Lord Baden Powell. Scouting, then, was about teaching young men to become self sufficient through games featuring campcraft and scoutcraft skills which was to make them become outstanding citizens within their respective community.
How will you be remembered when the Bicentennial of the BSA comes around in 2110? What will the future scouts say about what we did and how we ran the scouting program? Interesting questions? I, for one, hope that the scouts of the future will follow some of the same program ideas we have followed…
The Boy Scouts of America recently announced the new "Heritage Merit Badge program," which was unrolled for the Centennial celebration and National has now placed this program on hold as the announcement was made prematurely. Plans are still being made to release these merit badges at some point during the scouting year but a deadline…
Yesterday, I received my Master's Degree in Scouting by completing my second year attending 5 Star University in Delafield, WI. 5 Star University is a one day training session that will give you additional training for scouters, (specifically designed for Commissioners) and adult volunteers within the BSA program.
Walt Disney and Camp Tesomas Posted using ShareThis
The following Leaders within the Voyageur District have been nominated for the National Scouters Hall of Fame: Roy La Pean, who currently serves as the Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner (among other postions). Jerry Tilton, Scouter with 73 yrs. continuous experience in all facets of scouting. Wayne Gunville, Scoutmaster (retired). Keith Westergaard.
It's Alive, it's alive, it's A L I V E!" to coin a phrase from Gene Wilder in "Young Frankenstein." I am very pleased to announce that the first annual Webelos Woods event will take place this coming Sept 11, 2010, which will replace the Webelos event held two years ago at the Bay Beach…
Tonight I listened to the BSA Centennial Kickoff program and I was pretty excited about the things to come within the BSA program and yet I was saddened to think that there would be no time to reflect back on scouting's past 100's .
Recently, I have run across what I term as "scouting disconnect," with unit leader. Scouting disconnect is what I describe as someone that is showing early signs of burn out which is usually caused but a series of set backs within their program they are providing to their scouts.
Cranberry benefits Posted using ShareThis...
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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 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…
We are now currently underway in the 2009-2010 scouting year and boys talks and open houses are in full swing. Cub Packs and Troops are busy addressing questions from potential scout families and doing their best to highlight their unit in the best possible light.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to work my first Dad and Lad campout , working with a fellow scouter and friend of mine, doing the "I Hate Dishes" program for cub scouts and their fathers. Dad and Lad camps are fun because it is a time for bonding between fathers and sons at a scout camp…
