One hundred days of doing something for Scouting, and writing about each one. Scouters took the challenge for the centennial in 2010 and came back for second and third rounds.
100 Days is well past the halfway mark now. This is a busy time of the year. Webelos Scouts moving to the troop. Summer camp questions almost every day. And pack meetings...never forget the energy and stress that go into making a good pack meeting.
Today I: Paid for my peanut order. They look really good, too. Contacted Bears that missed the pack meeting last night--and getting their Bear rank. Lots of illness going around. Found out if a dad could still get in on the Webelos Crossover weekend his son is participating in.
Wednesdays are recovery days from the Meeting but with the lack of attendance last night I have less recovering to do :) - picked up Eagle Book from National of Scout who had his BoR on Feb 8th - picked up 2010 Centennial Rank Patches - picked up Patrol patches for the 3 new patrols - got some uniform socks…
Today I: Drove to the Scout store to pick up all of my awards for tonight--last minute trip! Filled out approximately 75 award cards by hand. Cub Scout Academics and Sports awards are the best! My guys love earning them, and apparently trying to see which is the weirdest one they can earn.
Tuesday is meeting night, always a great time. Tonight however was a little different as it is also Spring Break here. So we had a fraction of the number of Scouts we usually have. The 1st Year Scouts worked on a little project while the older Scouts hung out.
Today I: Planned out a series of posts for Scoutsigns on the new Historic Merit Badges. I'm as excited about these as my Scouts are. Put together my order for the pack meeting tomorrow night. Our Webelos Scouts are crossing over to the troop this weekend, so we have a big crossover event planned.
Got two projects in mind, one specific to my Troop, one I will need Internet community help with...details to follow. Getting nervous about Wood Badge, need to make sure I have everything ready to go! Today I: - wrote a reference letter for an Eagle Scout - spoke with an old friend about her almost- Eagle Scout…
Today I: Confirmed my appointment to discuss basic backpacking with the Crew. Planned my backpacking talk! Ordered my 2010 rank advancement badges for the pack--they are FINALLY in! Woo! Wrote out my pack meeting plan. Printed out reminders to get the camp physicals in sooner than later for summer camp.
Well it only took 52 days to come to a weekend were I have NO Scout business to discuss. Being a Scoutmaster is a full time job. I have had something to write about every day for the past 52 days.
Despite the picture, Scouting isn't all fun and games. But it is a lot of fun. The 100 Days of Scouting is humming right along, cruising into the last few weeks. We have so much planned that is going to make it into the list!
Today I: Practiced being reverent. Happy Easter! Today, the closest I'm going to come to Scouting is spending time with my family. I'll get a phone call or two--like I do every Sunday when my Scouts think of something!
Today I: Worked on organizing my Scout paperwork some more. I'm definitely paying for letting it go so long. Helped a Scout with information on the Painting merit badge. Easter is almost here, and I have a lot of non-Scout responsibilities. How do you work in a little Scouting around a hectic holiday?
Today I: Helped yet another Scout with decisions about his summer camp merit badges. I'm detecting a trend! Aided a certain young Tiger Scout in the selection of his first baseball glove. I'm sure the Baseball and Softball belt loops will be in his future.
Yesterday was a slow Scout day. - talked with a new Eagle about his paperwork - chatted with an Internet Scouting Friend about all things Today was the same, things might be slowing down OR I am busy getting ready for Baseball's Opening Day!
Today I: Helped a(nother) Scout with his merit badge selection for summer camp. Sent out a lot of information (all I could find) on Twitter about the new Historic Merit Badges: Carpentry , Signaling , Pathfinding , and Tracking . There are pdf files of the old merit badge manuals for these, too.
Yes, I just needed an excuse to put up the picture of this awesome locomotive. The mid-point of the 100 Days have come and gone, and I was too busy to make sure it got posted properly on Scoutsigns. More days: Day 46 Day 47 Day 48 Day 49 Day 50 Share your thoughts--have you…
Today I: Helped my SPL with questions about merit badge scheduling at camp this summer. Bit my tongue at just the right time. Trust me. Posted the summary of Days 46-50 on Scoutsigns. So nice out, it is hard to focus on Scouting.
Here it is the halfway point! - posted on several boards about Program and about Eagle procedures - discussed an Eagle Project with a Life Scout - attended the PLC Meeting. It went very well, started Thorns and Roses for the month, talked about how the new Scouts were feeling welcome and how the older Scouts were really…
Today I: Started on the back half of the 100 Days of Scouting challenge! Woo-hoo! Helped a Scout, my son, get his camping stuff out of his room and back where it belongs...;-) Worked out the details for getting Scouts to our weekend camping trip next Friday.
Monday's after campouts are always a little busy as I gear up for the PLC meeting and recover from the weekend. - answered about 15 emails for new parents about the campout. Each one said what a great time their Scout had.
Today I: Finished hauling stuff to the Scout closet in one building where the Cub Scouts meet. Finished hauling stuff to the new Scout area in the next building where the Boy Scouts meet. Delivered my hardcopy Webelos Crossover Weekend paperwork to the office.
Left for Camp Cullom on Day 46 (Friday) at 5pm. We had 83 Scouts in tow with about 25 Adults to drive and some stayed. We got there with no problems and set up camp. What a great surprise it was when the 1st Year patrols (3 of them) set up their sites with the…
Today I: Cleaned all of the Scout boxes and stuff on shelves in the garage, and moved them to the workshop, shed and Scout storage area at church. Gutted the Scout storage area at church, and tried to organize. Way too small a space for a pack, troop and crew to share.
Today I: Found a box of Scout t-shirts that I've not gotten around to getting into use yet. Pulled the tags and got them into the washing machine. Pleh! What a busy weekend day! Just family time today...knowing what is coming tomorrow. Help me feel better about doing so little today--what did you do?
It happened again, I forgot to post last night! Day 45: - listened to The Leaders Campfire Podcast. I miss those guys! Keep up the great work! - Finalized Campout Schedule after time discussions with PL and some PL Advisors on time needed for Skills Demo - talked to last new parent about what to bring to campout.
Today I: Pushed forward on an online version of Roundtable. I have a few ideas, and I'm soliciting opinions from the online Scouter community. Feel free to jump in the Comments and share your thoughts. Put the last of the Webelos Crossover paperwork together--then had to email it in because I can't get to the…
Today I: Reviewed, an unpleasant job, the storage needs for our pack's supplies. Needs a lot of cleaning and tossing, probably this weekend. Posted an updated summary of the last 5 Days of Scouting on Scoutsigns. Posted the last segment of the 3-part video series (dated 1917) on the C&O Canal.
Hard to believe that the mid-point of this 100 Days of Scouting challenge is right around the corner. I've picked up some great ideas from other 100 Days bloggers , as well as from the comments left behind. Hardly a day goes by that I don't learn something new about Scouting.
Greetings Scouts and Scouters! My 100 days project is turning into an every other day posting event: Tuesday: Day 43: Scout meeting night! Talked with SPL about his not being at the meeting. Found out who was his ASPL replacement and found everything under control.
Today I: Answered a lot of questions for our Venture Crew secretary about reselling candles as a fundraiser. I'm not sure this is a good idea, but the right questions will be asked and answered first. Posted second C&O Canal video on Scoutsigns.
Today I: Contacted our Scout store to see if the Centennial rank badges have come in yet. Crossing my fingers. Tweeted registration information about the US Mint--necessary if you want the cheapest option to purchase a BSA Coin. Posted a piece (1 of 3) on Scoutsigns showing video of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in…
Sunday was a day of rest. Only one Scouting activity today, writing a letter(s) of recommendation for an Eagle Scout. Today was full of Scouting Stuff: - got a tour of the new Council offices...a real tour too, behind the scenes and everything - went to the new Scout Shop and checked it out (bought a new…
We have 6 Webelos Scouts crossing over to our troop in a couple of weeks. Our SPL has been working with them this month to get them formed into a patrol--picked a leader, make a flag, and still working on the patrol yell.
Today I: Posted to Facebook and the blog that our council's rescheduled Klondike Derby is cancelled indefinitely. Notified the troop of the cancellation so we can punt for next weekend's camping trip. We do keep a backup in the works just in case.
April's BSA Theme Today I: Printed out the April theme information for the PLC this afternoon. Supported the PLC meeting. That's all for today and Scouting--a busy day, but one I just had to monitor. How about you? What Scouting did you do today?
Scouting For Food: Every year the BSA teams up with other organizations to collect food for local pantries and shelters. This morning we gathered at a local plaza and 52 Scouts split into 11 groups. Walking and collecting bags and boxes we returned to the plaza with our Trailer and loaded it up.
Today I: Drove 144 miles (per Google maps) to Camp Brady Saunders, near Richmond VA. Attended BSA Area Seven Camp Visitation Team training. Drove 144 miles back home. Sometimes there is something new and exciting to do for Scouting--camp inspections sound like a good excuse to get out and explore new camps!
Beautiful Camp Rock Enon , from the new chapel. Today I: Verified that the crew's peanut order was turned in on time. Whew! Got the car ready for my training tomorrow--I'm going to be on a Camp Visitation Team this summer.
Thursday night is usually Roundtable and Eagle Boards. Missed both this month due to other obligations...still did some Scouting though... - updated weekly email because we (both the S4F Chair and I) forgot to put a time in the Scouting For Food flyer and email - talked to another new parent on the phone.
Today I: Commented on another 100 Days of Scouting blog. [This advice has come up twice in just the last week for me, so watch for a Scoutsigns post soon.] Organized Webelos Crossover paperwork . Emailed OA Dance Team Advisor to let him know I'd be happy to publicize their activities on blog, Facebook and Twitter.
The day after a Troop meeting is always busy playing catch-up, recording things in TroopMaster and touching base with the SPL and others about next week... - entered OA Elections into TroopMaster - entered attendance from Scribe into TroopMaster - sent out Weekly Troop Email to Troop....237 different email addresses - found great Knotmaster program, took a look and…
Today I: Attended the Camping Committee meeting at our council office (2.5 hours). I learned a lot, as always, about things going on behind the scenes of our summer camp and council weekend camps. Spoke to our council's Summer Camp Director about posting short profiles and pictures on the camp's blog.
Woops, forgot to post last night! Monday: - organized the Scout bag. Took my Scout box and extra files and built a Scout Bag with my new Wood Badge Staff bag. Apps, patches, books needed and always in the car ready for a meeting - worked on Gettysburg trip - started prep for Tuesday meeting Tuesday: - printed out…
Today I: Prepared for Camping Committee meeting tomorrow night. Explained to the Venture Crew's secretary how the spreadsheet with Venturer's Accounts works. Encouraged a couple of parents of soon-to-be Boy Scouts (currently Webelos Scouts) to join the troop's YahooGroup. Hectic, hectic, hectic...and busy, too!
Today I: Emailed someone who was upset with my depiction of homeschoolers in Scouting magazine article ( I was quoted ). Hopefully they see that I'm trying to encourage more contact between the Scouting and homeschooling worlds. Advised a new Scoutmaster on how to manage his troop's communications.
100 Days of Scouting about came to a screeching halt the other night. We have had a lot of rain lately, causing the Potomac River to rise to flood stages. Before that happened we were camping along side of it .
Tis Sunday the traditional day of rest...not for your average Scouters :) - contacted several Scouts via email about different things (Merit Badge University, Eagle Projects, Troop Website, Firecrafter, Scouting For Fos od) - printed out OA Ballots and OA Election Report for OA Rep for OA Elections on Tuesday - created and emailed SPL new Uniform Inspection sheets…
Busy weekend so I will try to catch up on 3 days total, 2 in the post: Friday: Worked my new schedule which is 8am - 4pm. It is a new challenge at work AND I will be able to leave at 4pm on Fridays and be at the Troop departure spot by 5pm for our…
Today I: Rested from our escape from the C&O Canal backpacking trip! Unpacked my pack and processed the wet stuff--hung up tent to dry ( great tent , stayed dry in it all night). Scouting at a very personal level today--taking care of my own gear and myself.
Today I: Backpacked with the troop 10 miles, in rain and strong winds. Stayed reasonably dry and warm (writing this a day in advance, so this is wishful thinking...). The things we do for Scouting! What was your Scouting goal today?