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The position of the Junior Assistant Scoutmaster is one that I find debated frequently.  The debate ranges from what rank he needs to be to the age he needs to be and then as to what his job is within the Troop.  Is he treated like a youth or is he treated like an adult?  Where does he camp?  Who does he eat with?  What does he do?
We let me start with what the Boy Scouts of America says about the Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM):
The Junior Assistant Scoutmaster is a Scout at least 16 years of age who has shown outstanding leadership skills. He is appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster. A Junior Assistant Scoutmaster follows the guidance of the Scoutmaster in providing support and supervision to the other boy leaders in the troop. Upon his 18th birthday, a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster is eligible to become an assistant Scoutmaster.
Ok, so we have the answer to the age question, he must be at least 16.  He is appointed by the SPL, yes the Senior Patrol Leader.  The Scoutmaster advises and approves the leadership of the young man, but it is the SPL that appoints him.  It is important to note that the JASM need not be an Eagle Scout.  The position qualifies as a Leadership role for the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle.  In a Troop with a functioning Patrol Leaders Council, the SPL will be able to identify the needs of the Troop and where best a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster can serve the troop.  This is where the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster play an important role in selecting a JASM.  The JASM, once selected will work directly for the Scoutmaster just as any other Assistant Scoutmaster would do.  The fine line here is that he is still a youth and all the youth protection guidelines apply.  He can’t sleep with adults and he would not be considered to transport Scouts.
The role of the JASM is to help the Troop.  Be a good example by wearing the uniform correctly and be a visible example of the Scout Oath and Law, he is a teacher, coach, and mentor to the Patrol leaders and to all the Scouts of the Troop.  He is typically an older Scout that has demonstrated outstanding leadership and therefore has the respect of the Scouts of the unit.  In our Troop the JASM is an asset, he is a good “go between” from the Scouts to the PLC and to the Adult leadership.  We treat him like an Assistant Scoutmaster and give him a lot of responsibility and latitude.  His primary function is to assist in the training of Patrol leaders, but his specific job is to train the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader preparing him to become the SPL.  He signs books, tests Scouts in skills, coaches Patrol leaders, and is available to meet the needs of the Scoutmaster and SPL is support of the Troop.
I have noticed that many Troops in our District do not have JASM’s.  When I have talked to other Scoutmasters about why, the typical response is they don’t need them or don’t know what to do with them.  In response to that I always suggest that if nothing else it is a great way to keep an older boy completely engaged in your Troop.  It is a fantastic way to recognize a young man that has been an outstanding leader and is getting close to his 18th birthday.  It is hard sometimes for a Scout that has been in front of the Troop serving to now step back into a patrol and just follow.  In most cases they have served in Troop level positions for some time and have been a decision maker for the Troop for a long while.  To ask him just to follow is not rewarding and leaves the Scout in a awkward position.  So the reward comes from being appointed by the SPL to continue his service to the Troop at a level that is fitting of his skills, maturity, and demonstrated leadership.  We all have that Scout in our Troop, that Scout that you will want as an Assistant Scoutmaster one day.
I encourage the Junior Assistant Scoutmaster Position, it is rewarding for the Unit, the Scout, and a great asset for Scoutmasters.
#100daysofscouting for today-  I blogged, then hung out with two Scouts in my Troop.. my sons.  Need to do some work on the podcast, but that will have to wait till tomorrow.
Hey, If you have questions or comments, you can leave them here, call into the SMM Voice mail at 503-308-8297, or drop me an email, I love to hear from you!
Have a Great Scouting Day!

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As Scout leaders we teach our scouts to learn and develop skills that will last their life times.  Even in the mission statement of the Boy Scouts of America it states that The Mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.  The Scout Oath and Law are tools that support the mission of the BSA.
We teach our Scouts skills that become tools that they will have for their lives.
When a Scout joins a troop he is given an empty tool box.  Look at the Scout Badge. As he learns more, develops leadership, and sharpens his skills he starts to fill up the tool box.  He adds an Eagle on the Tenderfoot badge.  This tells us that he is on his way to learning to camp, do first aid, and see where he is physically.  All the while the Oath and Law are the standards he is starting to live.
The next items he puts in his tool box is how to navigate using a map and compass, while he is learning those skills that keep him on the right trail, he also is learning about his moral compass and staying on the right path in life.  This tool is one of the most important tools he can place in his tool box.  Citizenship plays a big part in this next step and as the boy grows so does his responsibilty and understanding about who he is and what his part in his community is.  Service becomes an additional part of the young mans life.  His tool box is getting full, but there is always room for more.  The patch he wears now has a Scroll that reminds him to BE PREPARED, prepared for what?  Anything!.. but namely LIFE. 
By the time your Scout earns his First Class badge, he is a skilled camper, he understands First Aid, he is starting to lead, he is getting physically fit, and he is taking an active role in his Troop and his community.  His tool box is packed and he knows how to use the tools in it.  Now it is time to explore his world.  Star and Life give him the opportunities to learn and grow.  Learn about occupations, hobbies, skills, and the world he lives in.  He grows in leadership, service, and citizenship. 
The day he goes to his Eagle Board he need only show up with his tool box that he has put together along the way.  All the answers are there, his compass is set, his skills sharpened, and the Oath and Law are his guides to a life that will be measured by his character.
His tool box will never leave him and will always contain the tools he needs for life.  They will always be the right tool at the right time.
Fill up your Tool Box!
Have a Great Scouting Day!

>Even though we are not heading south to Philmont till 2012 it is never to early to get ready.
Our deposits are in and we have secured our 2 crews, the excitement is building!
The other night we met with many of the Scouts going, we are going to start our preparations this summer, more hikes, gear shake downs and building the crews.
To start with though, we are showing them what they are going to see…
Thought I’d share a bit with you.

So for my contribution for this day of #100daysofscouting.. it was all about Philmont today.
I talked with on of our Troops Dads about clamming while out on the coast this month and he is doing some research about tides etc.
Other than that.. it was a pretty quiet Scouting Day!
Have a Great Scouting Day!

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Last night I participated in a Scoutmaster Conference for a new Scout.  It was obviously his first Scoutmaster Conference as a Boy Scout and he was trying to earn his Scout Badge. 
Here is why I am posting this…
The excitement that he had was over the top and its not just him, but I notice that every new Scout trying to earn their Scout badge is always excited and ready.
He rattled off the Scout Oath and Law and was able to explain pretty much what it all meant to him.  He knows the handshake, salute, and handshake, and was proud to show me a crisp salute.
He was able to explain the parts of the Scout badge and even started with the stars of Truth and Knowledge.
And he even knew the outdoor code.
As I sat there listening and sharing some things about our Troop and the way he is playing an important role in it, I could not help but to think about how to harness that excitement.  How can we bottle that up and open it again when he is 16?
Well, I was not going to solve that one last night, but it did get me thinking.
Just as we concluded two Scouts (brothers) came up to me and informed me that they wanted to be added to the Philmont list.  Well that was all I needed.. I have been trying to unleash some excitement in them.  And I think they may have got it.  I think they get it from watching some of the young guys.  They feed on some of that energy and excitement.  What ever it is, it works.  I still want to be able to bottle it up and open when needed, but until I figure that out.. I will take what I get.
#100daysofscouting is going great.
I noticed that I have posted a bunch more here to the blog, that in and of itself is a tremendous thing to me as one of my goals for this year was to do so.  #100daysofscouting has given me more purpose with that goal.
Had a fun troop meeting last night.  And that is pretty much it.
Harness that excitement as best you can.
Have a Great Scouting Day!

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Courtesy
–noun

1. excellence of manners or social conduct; polite behavior.
2. a courteous, respectful, or considerate act or expression.
3. indulgence, consent, or acquiescence: a “colonel” by courtesy rather than by right.
4. favor, help, or generosity: The costumes for the play were by courtesy of the local department store.
When we teach our young men to live and act with purpose the Scout Oath and Law we must never forget that we are teaching an coaching these men to be Gentlemen.
A Scout is Courteous.  A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.
Last night my family and I went to the movies.  Now, I have a hand full of pet peeves, but the behavior that drives me up the wall is when people are rude or discourteous.  There was a guy and his family sitting next to us.  He decided to talk through the whole movie, not a whisper, full conversation level talking.  I leaned to my son and whispered “and this is what a lack of courtesy looks like”.
Now I am going to make some folks mad here… but I blame parents for a lack of courtesy in their kids.
Parents should demonstrate what it is to be courteous.  When parents show a lack of courtesy, they are telling their kid that this is what right looks like. 
As a Scout leader I see the results of various styles of up bringing.  By and large the Scouts of my Troop are good young men.  I am proud of them and the way they are growing up.  I hope that the lessons that we are teaching them are sinking in and being a solid augmentation of what they get at home.
In Scouts we get Scouts from every walk of life.  Every economic status, every race, every religion, and every form of discipline tested.  They are all good kids with potential, what and how we harness to be is a challenge, but we have been given a great tool.. The Oath and Law.
When you have to lean over and remind your son what Right does not look like, it is the hope of most Dads that they get it.
Courtesy is so simple.  It takes little or no effort at all, yet there are some folks out there that are just plain rude.  I am not sure why, and have very little patients to figure it out.  It is always easier just to do the right thing the first time.. don’t you think?
Anyway, I know the butt head that was at the movies last night does not read this blog… but I wish he did.  His family may be better for it.
So on day whatever of #100daysofscouting… I spent time with my sons today.  That’s all.  Not a great Scouting tale, but it is what it is.  We watched a James Bond movie and went to Home Depot.  Great day.
Have a Great Scouting Day!

The cartoon I used in this post is used by permission. This image may not be used or reproduced in any form without the express permission of the owner. Visit Rich’s web site at http://www.the-cartoonist.com. ©2000 Richard Diesslin.

>If you are not following the 21 or so Scouters that are journaling the #100days of Scouting.. Then I would throw a friendly reminder to do so.
Doug Metz is a Scoutmaster, I got to meet him at Jambo this last summer..  He has made it easy for you to follow the #100daysofscouting (including yours truly).
Just go to this link and check it out.. then go to the individual sites and check them out.
LINK
This is a great shot in the arm for Scouting!.. And super motivating too!
Have a Great Scouting Day!.. Now I am off to the movies with my Family.. I’ll post about Red and Green later!

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Earlier this year I talked about increasing the community as one of my Scouting goals for the year.  I receive a fair amount of emails from listeners of the Podcast and readers of the Blog, and I really love to hear from you. It is great to talk with the listeners and readers and it brings our Scouting circle tighter. 
Many Podcasters and Bloggers have a call in show or services that allow the fans of the show or blog an opportunity to express their opinions, give ideas, share stories, or just say hello.
The readership and downloads of the SMMPodcast and Blog are hanging in there.  Again, I won’t get into numbers, really because they are dropping, but that is ok.. I will still do this because I enjoy it and have got to meet some great Scouters out there doing it.
Anyway.. I have added a Google Voicemail service to the blog and Podcast.   To break it in I want to throw out a question with the hope that we might spark up a conversation.  My idea is that on an upcoming show the voice mails will take center stage.
So here is what you can help me with, Use the link or the number in the column on the left.  Click it or dial 503-308-8297.
Leave a voicemail with a message telling us what you are doing in these next 100 days of Scouting!
As you know there are many bloggers out there that are keeping a log of their Scouting journey.  Share yours with us.  It’s easy and I really want to share your story.
So lets hear from you!
Today on my journey through the #100daysofscouting I completed some preparations for the Red and Green Dinner tomorrow.
Put together my Hawaiian Shirt for the dinner and got the voicemail up on the blog.  I think that is good enough for today.
Don’t forget to call, click, or write.
Have a Great Scouting Day!

>Yeah.. along with a bunch of online (some close, some far) Scouting friends we are trying real hard to maintain a daily log of our “Next” 100 days of Scouting.  I have been pretty good at going about it.. but as activities like a Troop camp out etc get in the way.. the blog seems to be so far away from me when it is time for taps at the Scoutmaster Jerry compound.
But a lot goes on daily in the life of this Scouter.  And as one would expect at least some of part of every day is dedicated to something to do with the Troop, Wood Badge, or learning something that has to do with Scouting.  That “some part” may be a 10 minute phone call, or a half hour in a book, but at some point of my day I know that Scouting will creep into the picture.
Today was no exception.  Today we had a “Snow Event” here in the Portland area.  Immediately the new went into full panic mode and traffic ground to a halt.. I think it was so people could watch the beautiful snow flakes falling.  Needless to say, even with all the warnings of impending doom (snow) the general public found itself unprepared to handle it.  Schools closed, offices shut down, and kids frolicked in the snow rejoicing.. until noon… when it all melted.  It snowed again this afternoon.. but by and large it is gone.  Cold weather is the forecast, and we can expect more of the white stuff over the next few days.
As I drove to work this morning I thought about the folks that do not take the time and prepare.  Not just for snow and bad weather, but for everything.  A trip down to the Wal Mart this evening proved my point.  There they were; snow shovels, de icer, antifreeze, and carts full of “get ready to be shut in” stuff.  Waiting till you need it.. then off to the store for emergency supplies.  Unprepared.

Be Prepared… the meaning of the motto is that a scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise.

Robert Baden-Powell

When we got my wife’s car in December we made sure it was prepared.  An emergency kit, flash light, flares, etc.. and more importantly, how to use it all.
I can not tell you how many times I have changed other peoples tires on the way to work, helped a neighbor throw on chains, and assist with a jump start.  Sometimes it drives my family nuts, but something inside me tells me to “Do a good turn” and since I am prepared I feel it is my place to help.
To many times others just drive on by and think to themselves how much it sucks to be the broken down person.
I was driving out to Camp Clark to attend Wood Badge in May of 2005,  Camp Clark is out on the Oregon Coast and about a two and half hour drive from my home.  The route takes you over the Coast range going from the Willamette Valley out to the Oregon Coast.  The road is dark and in parts one lane coming and going.  I had plenty of time to get there, so I was doing the speed limit and enjoying the ride.  There was fellow behind me that had somewhere to be and he had to be there now.  He kept swerving and trying to pass, but because of the road, it was not going to happen till we came to a passing lane.  Finally, his chance came and he blew past me.  As he crested a hill I saw his tail light swerve and brighten.  I approached the top of the hill to find him half in a ditch wheels spinning.  He had hit a deer.  The deer was in the passenger seat with its hooves sticking out of the windshield.
I pulled over and threw on my four ways, got out and ran to the car.  The driver was sitting there obviously in shock.  I looked at him and asked if he was ok.  He turned to me and gave me a blank look of disbelief.  I asked again if he was ok and of he felt any pain.  He look at me for a long time in silence.  Once again I asked if he was ok and if he could hear me.  He nodded his head yes and then turned his head toward me, he lifted his arm and pointed at me.. he said “You have got to be kidding me… A Boy Scout is here to help me!” then he started laughing.  You see I was in my uniform ready for the Wood Badge session and so I had to chuckle myself and relied “Yep.. I am here to help.”
I put out some flares and got on the phone and called 911.  I stayed with the guy until help arrived.  It turned out he was ok, but he thanked me for being there.
It would have been easy to drive on by, but that is not what prepared Scouts (and Scouters) do.

The last couple days have been busy.  Scouting has played its daily role.  For my part in the #100daysofscouting I framed some memorabilia, my father in laws merit badge sash.  I worked on my hiking stave, had to make a new one.  Went to the Scout shop to pick up some patches and certificates and a gift for the out going SPL.  Picked up a cool poster also of all the Scout Handbook editions.

Yesterday.. yeah you guessed it.. it was all about getting prepare for the the big winter storm and taking care of some Philmont business.

Be Prepared!Have a Great Scouting Day!

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Born on this day in 1857.  Number 7 of 10 Children.  Chief Scout of the World, founder of the greatest peace movement the world has ever seen.

#100daysofscouting:

Went to the Scout office for signatures on the Trek application and ended up chatting with some good Scout friends.. then off to the Scout Shop to pick up a few things for the Red and Green Dinner this Saturday.
Had to get new SPL and ASPL patches for the changing of positions coming up at the dinner.
Then it was back home for a final edit and clean up of Show #78 of the SMMPodcast.  In this show we talk about keeping all of your Scouts engaged in the program as well as some talk about Founders day.
Then it was off to Dinner with my lovely wife to celebrate her putting up with me for 19 years.
All in all.. A Great Scouting Day!  Hope you had one also!

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The harder the challenge the sweeter the reward.. I grew up with that little phrase deeply embedded in my brain and this weekend the Scouts of my Troop learned a bit about it.
Friday night we camped at the trail head of Barlow Pass Road and the PCT.  The temperature was dropping fast and the wind was whipping.  It was a struggle to get the tents up and gear stored, but they managed and even found time to throw a Frisbee around, that was tough against a wind also, but it was not going to stop a good time.
Saturday morning we awoke to snow drifts on our tents and chilly temps, and the wind was worse than the night before.  Breakfast was cooked, tents dropped and packs packed.  We put our snow shoes on and hit the trail.  Unfortunately, the first two miles of this section of the PCT are exposed as you cross a ridge.  The wind pounded us from about 9:30 AM to 12:45 when we finally crossed the ridge to the west side heading into Frog lake.  We ducked over the ridge line and into some trees, it seemed like a different world.  And a great place to have lunch.
The hiking was slow all morning, pack adjustments needed to be made, the wind was messing with anything that was not tucked away and the snow was blown and icy… But on the west side we had powdery snow and no wind.  And the hiking after lunch picked up and the pace was great.  We made it into camp around 3:50 PM.. a long time to get 5.5 miles.  Camp was set up quickly and out came the Frisbee.  A little exploring around the camp site and it was time to get dinner started and prepare for the long night ahead.
By 8 o’clock camp was quiet and the Scouts had all made it into the comfort of their sleeping bags.  A quick once around the camp and off to bed with me.
We woke up to light snow falling and chilly temperatures on Sunday.. ate breakfast dropped camp and hiked out to the cars.
The hardship of that hike in the wind test the Scouts of my Troop.. all they talked about on Sunday was how tough that was.  They all made it and did it well.  They tested themselves against the elements and won.
That challenge yielded the sweet reward to knowledge. They know they can do it.  They know that because of training and great attitudes they can accomplish anything.
So that is the recap for the last couple of Scouting days.. staying with the #100daysofscouting theme.
I am real proud of the young men in my Troop.  It’s going to be another great Scouting Week.!
Have a Great Scouting Day!