Last night we welcomed 6 new Scouts into our Troop. The Scouts from our Troop that make up our Order of the Arrow “Tribe” put on a heck of a ceremony. They always do, but last night was special.
Last nights team was literally put together Tuesday night due to scheduling conflicts and the like. Two new Arrowmen from the troop put together regalia and studied lines and pulled off perhaps the most amazing Cross over ceremony I have seen. From start to finish, top to bottom, these 5 young men held the crowd in the palm of their hands and made a memorable experience not only for those 6 Scouts entering our Troop, but the families that looked on from their seats.

Nerves were jumping as the OA members dressed in a class room down the hall. A smattering of feathers, leather, wool and beads filled the room as well as pacing young men going over their lines “just one more time”.
When the beat of the drum called them to the stage, a transformation occurred as “Silver Arrow” called the crowds attention and bid them greetings on behalf of all of the Scouts from the Tribe of 664.
And so it went… line after line, gesture upon gesture, the Webelos Scouts sat in amazement as they were inducted into the brotherhood of the Arrow of Light and became members of a new tribe, a new band of brothers in Boy Scouting.

It was a night I will not soon forget. I am so proud of these boys. They exemplified everything that is good in Scouting. They were Loyal and Brave, Courteous and Kind, Helpful and friendly and they just did a fantastic job.

Have a Great Scouting Day!

You know that I love sporting analogies…
In baseball the Coach or Manager always has to remember the “White Line”.
The “White Line” is the base line that the manager is not supposed to cross the white line during the course of the game. The players on the field play the game and the manger coaches, makes adjustments, and gives advise from the dugout. He sends in signals and on occasion leaves the dugout to make a pitching change or settle down the pitcher.

When I was a Scout, our SPL was a total jock. He was a star football player, wrestler, and baseball stud. I remember he used to call the area where the Scoutmaster and the Assistants camped the other side of the “Green Line”.
He and the Scoutmaster would often remind one another that there was a line there .. a line that the Scoutmaster was aware of and that he only crossed when needed. When he needed to settle down the SPL or make a change that effected the troop.

I had not thought about that until our last troop election. I looked on as our new SPL took control of the Troop. As the Troop grows and the Scouts develop in skills and leadership, we Scoutmasters need to know where the green line is. And we need to be aware that crossing it can move the youth leaders a step back in their development. Stepping over the green line when it is not needed or warranted chisels away at the Boy led foundation.

Knowing that there is that Green line is an important part of the Scoutmaster/ SPL relationship.
It is a great part that allows the Scout to lead and grow.

Have a Great Scouting Day!

In the great Northwest where I live, I met a mountain man and he knew how to get many things done with very little resources. He had almost nothing to work with, but accomplished great things. Whether the task was to build a fire underwater or stop a waterfall from falling, it seemed he could take care of it. I was so amazed to see the things he could do, I finally asked him how he did it. He told me that a long time ago, he had found a magical solution to nearly all challenges that came along.
He said it was all contained in a single, ancient word that had mystic powers. When you understand the meaning of the word, it unleashes immense strength and abilities; it makes your mind more clear; it makes your imagination run wild with ideas. Well, of course, I could hardly contain myself and I just had to know what this powerful magic was. I pleaded with him to tell me and he finally agreed. He said the word is, ‘YAGODDAWANNA’.
In order to accomplish anything, whether it is small or big, easy or difficult, trivial or of utmost importance, in order to be successful, you’ve got to want to do it. To earn good grades, you gotta wanna earn them. To become an Eagle Scout, ya godda wanna be one.
The main reason people don’t succeed at something is because they don’t really want it bad enough. By really wanting something, you come up with ideas, make plans, and then do it. Remember, to do something YaGoddaWanna do it.

Have a Great Scouting Day!

The hiking Stick or Stave or staff traditionally has been a part of Scouting. Baden Powell talked of the hiking stick and its many uses when he started the Scouting Movement.
The Hiking stick is made of strong wood, not just any old stick, it is solid and steadfast.
It provides stability on the trail. When climbing it gives you a lift, when descending it takes the load off and when the trail is smooth and easy, it is a companion.
The hiking stick is usually adorned with a compass to help guide the hiker along the way, it keeps the hiker heading in the right direction and always knows which way is true.
A lot of times a whistle hangs from the hiking stick. A tool to alert others of danger or get attention in times of distress.
The hiking stick is a place where we can show other hiker where we have been, a reminder of the good times on the trail, and memories of some of the hardships that got us where we are today.

The hiking stick is a great metaphor in our lives.
We all need a good hiking stick, weather that is a solid piece of hickory or titanium trekking poles, we all need something to hold onto, something that guides us and helps us along the trail of life.
That stability and support that makes our climbs fun and our descents easy and the smooth times a pleasure to walk through.
Find yourself a good hiking stick.

Have a Great Scouting Day!

*just a note: The picture for this post shows me with a big stick, it’s not the hiking stick I use, it was just laying around that day, but made a great “Lean On” stick.
What you do see in the picture however are other people. And those people are my real life “hiking stick”. Next to me is one of my Assistant Scoutmasters John. He’s my go to guy and a dear friend. Then there is the short fellow, that’s my youngest son. It is he and his brother that got me back into and keep me in Scouting. Then the man in Red with the red hat, he is my Dad. Perhaps the single most important person in my life that has shaped me, and always a good “lean on”. And finally in the picture is my Mom. I can never say enough about her.
The folks in this picture are truly my hiking stick that helps me get through life.
Not pictured are my Wife, my Son, and many other friends that help prop me up and keep the trail smooth.

Well it was another great weekend of Scouting. Busy, but lots of fun and I got to do what I love to do the most in Scouting… Recognize those Scouts that work hard and participate in this wonderful program.

As I am a student of leadership, always wanting to know more and constantly on the look out for examples of good leadership, we have recently been handed a great example.

I often talk, or write, about developing the value of selfless service or giving back in our Scouts.
In our Troop we have a couple Scouts that are in the process of earning their Eagle Award.
If you look at the requirements for earning the Eagle Award you will find that it requires the Scout to lead. And lead in a way in which he serves.

Throughout the year we hold elections in the Troop. (Adults never get a vote) We elect Patrol leaders, Senior Patrol Leaders, and within the Patrols they hold all kinds of “elections” to get things done.
There is one election we do each year that the boys seem to take just a bit more serious, and that is when they elect Scouts into Scouting’s Honor Society, the Order of the Arrow.

When we first started electing Scouts into the OA, the Scouts really did not understand what the Order was all about. They elected any and all that were eligible.
As the Scouts of the troop became active in the Order of the Arrow and developed a clearer understanding of what the purpose of the OA, they became more selective. Selective in a positive way.

Being a Scoutmaster is a great privilege, and one that I do not take lightly.
At a recent Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster training event I was talking with a group of soon to be Scoutmasters and ASMs. We were talking about our roles as they apply to activities out side of Scouting.
I strongly believe that you are a Scoutmaster 24/7. We that have accepted this role need to understand that we can not turn it on and off.
When we are at the Store we are still a Scoutmaster, I am always running in to Scouts of my Troop and their parents at local stores. I need to be aware of what I doing.
At the Friday night football games, I can’t be that obnoxious Dad, yelling and screaming at the Ref. I need to set an example of good citizenship all the time. This takes work, but more importantly it takes a willingness to do my best to live the Scout Oath and Law daily. And I need to be honest, it’s tough.
I knew a Scoutmaster that was arrested for DUI. As much as the Scoutmaster tried to keep it quiet, word got around and soon the Scoutmaster was finished. He had lost credibility within his Troop and among friends. He preached to the boys that Drinking in excess is wrong and worse yet, driving while under the influence is not only a crime, but it is plain dumb.
So now the Scoutmaster has violated not only the law, but committed the worst crime, he set a terrible example.

We all try, and try hard to live the Oath and Law and set an example of good Citizenship. I share with the Scouts of the Troop opportunities to demonstrate citizenship. We talk about voting, especially when the occasion of a vote comes up. We discuss special government days, like Flag day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. We show the Scouts an example of good Character. They see me in Church, at civic events, and going about my daily life. Often invited to School concerts and events, I try to be there for the Scouts, and when they need my help, a letter of recommendation, or just someone to talk to, they get it, because they know that my character will not let them down.
The Scouts see a demonstration of fitness, both physical and mental (emotional). I am able to run with them and hike with them. I act on and make rational decisions. They know I enjoy a beer every now and then, and many of them have seen me enjoy a nice cold beer (not on Scout time). But they know that I never drink it in excess and that I am responsible with it.
The Scouts of my troop see me having fun with life. And that is a great example to set.

We can not turn off the fact that we are Scoutmasters, Scout leaders, and Assistants. It is a part of our lives and a very good part of our lives. It is the part that makes us better, but more important it makes everyone around us better. It impacts the lives of young men and for that we are blessed.

Have a Great Scouting Day!

First I want to thank all the readers of the blog and listeners of the podcast for having the confidence in me or at valuing my opinion.
The reason I write this is because over the last year or so emails flood my inbox asking questions, giving me feed back, and asking for my opinion.
I would like to share an email from a reader regarding the merit badge program.

Jerry,

And so here is my response: