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Troop size, Scouting on the web and 100 Days of Scouting entries.
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2012 is the 100th Anniversary of the Eagle Scout. The Eagle Scout is an elusive creature. His achievements are the stuff of legend. He is roundly respected and ultimately expected to do the right thing. He has been known to be a little tattered around the wings and weary at times.
This weekend we built shelters and practiced wilderness survival. Many of you came prepared and brought with you tarps and sheeting, twine and duct tape, even spars. But all of you brought the one item you need in any situation.
This is a follow up to the Planning Conference. The results are in and Troop 199 has an annual calendar for 2012. I spoke earlier on how great it was to watch these guys plan and organize an entire year that would make all 124 Scouts happy.
So there was a lot of traffic this weekend on the new National Advancement and Eagle Project releases. Google+ and Scout_L were all a Twitter (see what I did there) with the news. The good, the bad and the downright ugly.
We had 30 Webelos visit us tonight. The SPL took the young Scouts from Patrol to Patrol helping them earn their Arrow of Light. When the Troop meeting was over we circled up as a Troop and included the Webelos.
Last weekend was our Troop Leader Training (TLT) and Planning Conference combined. Usually we do them separately but due to the fires at our Scout Camp that destroyed some facilities they asked us (at the beginning of the year) to move some things.
It's the 10th Anniversary of a day that changed the world and changed my life. I've written much on this date over the past 10 years. Today I spent it in the woods, with the PLC of Troop 199. The rest of the Troop was at a local Ceremony honoring the victims and heroes of…
Our Court of Honor was last Sunday and we honored many Scouts and Scouters and at one point we honored a 8+ volunteer who is leaving the Troop and I said some words about her...I got some feedback from many in the Troop about it...so here it is as best as I can remember it…
When doing a Scoutmaster Conference I always leave the last question for the Scout. It is his opportunity to ask me ANYTHING. I've been asked many things over the years: What's your favorite...is the common one of most young Scouts; What did you do as a Scout, How do you like being a Scoutmaster, What…
I have battled with my weight for a while now. I put on the lbs in college and have been going up and down for years (mostly up). I've tried many programs, fads, diets, etc. Some worked, some failed but I always ended up back up where I started..needing to lose the weight.
Well we are back from summer camp and had our first PLC meeting last night. Those that did not go are seeing that they missed a great time. Those that did go are giving those that did not a hard time (jokingly) about it.
Last night was the last PLC Meeting for this group. After a long, busy Summer Camp the SPL told them no class A uniforms, just wear your Summer Camp shirt. The enjoyed the break from the heat (those uni's can get HOT) and got right down to work with planning 1 campout, 5 meetings, a…
So here I am at work today, for the first time in a week. Vacations are hard to come back from but they are especially hard when that vacation is Summer Camp. While I will be posting a Summer Camp Recap I figured it's been 2 days and I already miss several things: - camp water…
So yesterday I asked the question (on Google+ and Twitter) Scouts Vs Sports...Summer Camp Vs Sport Camp. I got some good feedback and a great discussion going on. I've had about 4 Scouts in the last few days cancel on Summer Camp (we leave Sunday) tossing a wrench in the plans of myself, the Outdoor…
It is almost Summer Camp time for the Troop. I have been busy working with the Camp Director, the Outdoor Chair, the Treasurer, the Advancement Chair and the SPL to make sure we are ready to go! This will be our first year at this camp and it just so happens my Course Director when…
So we had a great meeting last night. Getting ready for Summer Camp. I was doing Scoutmaster Conferences and Joining Conferences (yes, still...I've got 35 Crossovers). I was in Scout Socks, Scout Shorts, Scout Belt and Troop Tshirt. It was remarked by some that I did not have my Scout Uniform on.
I started to write a post in response to a conversation I've been having on Twitter about JTE/QU and percentages and numbers and such...but I found myself turning into a GOS on the topic. So I will just say I am hopeful that JTE will work well.
So if you listen to Scout Nation, you heard the story of the two Scouts and the fire in the hollow tree. And the aftermath of the 'incident'. Last night we had another incident in the Troop, no we did not burn a tree down again, but it involved two Scouts.
Summer Time. A time for relaxing, a time for summer camp, a time to recharge and get ready for the next school year. Also a time for FAMILY VACATION...the bane of any year long Scout Program. For the past 6 months our average attendance was up around 93 Scouts per meeting, last few weeks with…
The following is the speech I gave at my son's Eagle Court of Honor this weekend. As much as I can remember preparing it. The delivered version many have differed slightly as I was suffering from 'allergies' and my eyes might have watered up....
May is a tough month for those in the TV industry. It is May Sweeps and the ratings are based on out performance this month. Being in the TV industry in Indianapolis in May also adds the Indy 500, Mini-Marathon, Indy 500 Parade and tons of other 'extras'.
Finally! To be honest this was not as fun the 2nd time around for me. I had gotten into a nice schedule with my blog and it felt very rushed to post every day for 100 days...which I truly did not (missed a few there).
One more day!!!! Day 99 was supposed to be a Scout Nation Record day. I have been so busy that I had to postpone it. Luckily Scoutmaster Shawn (my Co-Host) and I work so well together that we will not miss the posting date next Friday of the new Podcast.
Last night was the Troop Meeting. It went very well. However a little dry as it was part two of our Gun Safety skills demo and we had NRA Trained Adults teaching. Last week was a little better as it had adults and Scouts demonstrating how to hold a gun, range commands and stuff like…
Another weekend offline...life is keeping me busy! Thursday: - submitted Advancement Report for several Life Scouts getting ready for Eagle - talked with Outdoor Chair about June Campout...need to get with SPL about possible issues Friday: - looked over Script for one Eagle Court of Honor this weekend.
Not much to report today... Attended the Troop Committee Meeting. Was a great meeting, talked about Summer Camp, finances and some upcoming fundraisers. The PLC will have much to do these next few months :) The meeting after the meeting lasted longer than usual.
Troop meeting night. Great job by all! We covered gun safety for the up coming campout. I did 2SMCs and one for Eagle. Two scouts had BoRs and I handed out one 1st Class badgeand signed one Eagle App and 1 Eagle Project workbook.
T minus 10... -Talked with a Life Scout helping him with his Eagle Project...'discussed' the project and I think it is pretty good. Now he has to develop the plan, fill out the workbook and get the signatures for approval.
Another few days of Internet silence. So sorry! It was a busy weekend for everything. There were 2 Eagle Projects this weekend. One Scout cleaned and repaired a Food Pantry. He did a fantastic job and had several Scouts and volunteers help him out.
Oh the week is winding down... Wednesday was a great service project. The Troop worked with a local Homeless Organization and put up 1800 Cut outs of boys and girl representing the 1,800 children that will be homeless in the city of Indianapolis this year.
The PLC Meeting is the most important meeting of the month...it is the planning for the Troop that happens here! We've had a little issue with noise during the meetings and the PLC is taking some steps to make sure we follow the 'see one show one' method of Signs Up :) It is great to…
It is PLC Prep day... Looking at the month, getting together the agenda and putting on there the issues the PLC needs/wants to address... Yours In Scouting Bryan Permalink | Leave a comment »
It was my birthday Friday and I went off line for a few days to get some work done around the house that just needed to get done... So here is the quick list: Friday: - finalized campout prep with SPL and Outdoor Chair - met Troop at departure, talked to a bunch of Scouts, introduced them…
Recording Scout Nation episode 4 was a blast last night. While the podcast itself is only an hour we talk for about 2-3...a nice recharge of the Scouting Batteries. I worked the 4am-1pm shift so I was able to get in some office work when I got home.
How does Tuesday get here so fast! Tonight was a strange one in that I had A LOT to do with the meeting. It was the Summer Camp presentation. A quickie for the Scouts with me and the SPL and then they are off to their meeting and then I stay behind with the CC…
A skip day...Sunday did not hold much Scouting as it was Easter Sunday and it was spent at Church and with the family. I did not even see a Scout (outside my son) all day. Sometimes you need a day away and doing this 100 Days of Scouting a second time I realize I spend…
A quiet Saturday Scouting wise. Another afternoon in the garage and office. I had planned to build a fence and mow the lawn. Our landscape guy came by to feed and treat the lawn so NO mow until Monday :( and then the threat of rain the rest of the day kept me on inside projects.
Still on a high from Thursday Night's Eagle Boards. The Laundry List: - exchanged emails with the District Eagle Chair about another Eagle Candidate - emailed a few Scoutmasters and Scouters about Eagle Boards and thanks :) - talked to the CC about some new Volunteers in the Troop Yours In Scouting Bryan Permalink | Leave a comment »
I did a dozen things for Scouting yesterday but none more important than my duty as a Father. Tuesday, April 21, 2011 at 8:14pm my son walked out of his Board of Review as an Eagle Scout. As a Scoutmaster I am proud of all my Eagle Scouts but as a Dad I was on…
Sorry, it was supposed to be a Scout Nation evening but that changed when my son got the phone call...he is going for his Eagle Board Thursday night. That meant a little pep talk and some prep for me, getting my uniform ready and practicing my introduction speech :) I stopped by the Scout Offices to…
What a day. Work got in the way of Scouting today. We had some wild weather across Indiana and with the boss on vacation they asked me to help set it up. Nothing sucks worse then being the one who has to call co-workers and let them know they need to either stay to 2am…
Tuckered out from a LONG weekend of Scouting but I still managed to get some in today: - worked on the Summer Camp Newsletter - prepared the Summer Camp Presentation PowerPoint for the next meeting - chatted with Co-Host @SM_Shawn - entered some 1st Year stuff into TroopMaster - ran some TM Reports for the Troop Guides and Patrol Advisors…
Sorry for the delay...been a busy weekend and a long Monday ahead prepping for the week. Saturday: - helped out our Troop Swim Coordinator at the local High School Pool. Just about all 141 Scouts have taken the BSA Swim test...and passed - sent out a reminder about the Eagle Court on Sunday - tried to fulfill a…
Thank goodness for Friday. Fish Fry night (that I missed due to work) but got to do a little Scouting.. -worked on my part of the Sunday Eagle Court - chatted with some Scouter - talked to a Life Scout about his Eagle Board next week - worked with the Advancement Chair on some missing awards Yours In…
2nd Thursday of the month is Roundtable! I love Roundtable! As soon as I walked in I bumped into @mattlackner and we chatted and then someone came up and said how much he loved our Twitter banter, it was @iPublicPolicy.
The 2nd Wednesday of the month is Troop Committee Meeting. This month is was a little light in members, several were missing but we got business done. My report was about the past month in the Troop....we are averaging 100 Scouts per meeting, reported on the campout success, future plans for the rest of the…
What a day for me. Not feeling up to par and have the Troop Physical that evening. The entire day is a blur...meeting starts and by the time it was over I had talked to 130 Scouts and countless adults.
Busy Monday at work for me. Talked to several Scouts and Parents today. Sent out an email to all the New Parents asking for feedback on their first month in Scouting...good and bad Got some great responses from the New Parents Talked with the Outdoor Chair about some possible issues with April Campout...it all worked…
I busy weekend equals little time for blogging or tweeting. It was Spring Break this past week so little Scouting was scheduled. We (the family) decided to remodel the bathroom...with the help of a Scouting Friend. On top of that we CLEANED the house.
Friday, Friday, Fun, Fun, Fun, Fun, Fun Been a very Scout light week with this being Spring Break. Today was no different. - thought of some ideas for our Troop Physical - helped a Life scout with his Eagle Project - chatted with some great Scouters (and a Scout) The big event was our Scout Nation Chat.
