100 Days of Scouting: Day 91

Congratulations to Alex Lloyd, rookie driver for Dale Coyne/BSA Motorsports. Alex placed third today driving BSA car 19 in the Indy 500. Congratulations are also due to Scoutmaster Bryan Spellman; not only was Bryan working the broadcast booth, 6 Scouts from his Troop were part of the 100 Scouts that took part in the opening ceremonies. Big wins for BSA all around!

 

100 Days of Scouting: Day 90

Today the Troop, along with members of the community, said thank you to our Veterans. Every year during Memorial Day weekend we mark the graves of those who served with a small American flag. It inpires awe to look out among the fields of the deceased and see so many who believed so much in our country that they would offer their lives. To all who have served, we thank you.

 

100 Days of Scouting: Day 89

* Completed “This is Scouting” training; have now completed all required online classes. Next up is Scoutmaster spcific and Outdoor leader skills; neither have upcoming classes in my council – wonder if either of these will be among the newly available online classes in June
* Added my sons Scout rank badge and Patrol emblem to his uniform. We’ve got a bunch of Memorial Day activities planned (participating with CO)

 

100 Days of Scouting: Day 88

Troop night!

I received a call from the Scoutmaster late in the afternoon to confirm I would be at the meeting.  Since I would be there  he had planned to get an early start on his planned trip to PA for the long weekend.

I made a comment on Twitter about being “acting Scoutmaster” tonight. One of the replies I got said so much in so few words – it was Yoda wisdom.  I only wish I had seen it BEFORE the meeting instead of after…

there is no act, there is do…be the Scoutmaster!

After the meeting opening I presented the 2 newest Scouts with their Scout rank Wolf Patrol badges. After that I took a few minutes to go over (as previously requested by Scoutmaster) some of the new Merit Badges recently available, including the Historic Merit Badges only available this year. I also told them that I had been approved for MBC for Swimming, Geocaching, Computers and Scouting Heritage and that I had papers with me on them if anyone was interested. I also touched on the Year of Celebration award which at least got interest from one of the adult leaders and his son who is in the process of now applying as an adult leader.

After this the boys returned to “the game” and that carried out the night.   They’re a friendly enough lot, and I’ve often commented to my wife that I’ve never met a better bunch of helpful and respectful individuals.  I’ve known many of them (though not to any real depth) for the past couple years as there were several Pack/Troop outings and my son and I always attended.

On meeting nights like these, where there is no other Scoutmaster, I have been feeling most like a substitute teacher. I may be well versed in the subject at hand to be taught but there isn’t that relationship of having been through all the rest with them. More of that will come with time (so I keep telling myself) but in the meantime I need to look within and take note of “acting” vs. “being.”

 

100 Days of Scouting: Day 87

• Caught up with Cubmaster on Pack summer program, leader meeting schedule and future joint campout.
• Removed the last remaining vestiges of Cub Scouts from my son’s uniform; I intended to put on the patrol patch and rank badge for him, then though it better to PRESENT to both Scouts tomorrow night.
• Added my Cubmaster knot to uniform and hemmed a pair of uniform pants;
• Finished packing up “the bag” to be all ready to go for tomorows Troop meeting after work. To all the Scoutmasters out there – what’s in your “go bag” for Scouts?