Day 21: Surviving (100 Days of Scouting)

>> Verified with County parade committee that the Troop and Pack are both registered to march in the annual St Patrick’s Day parade;

>> Got scheduling info for an upcoming First Aid/CPR/AED class; I used to be an EMT but that was when I had a Scout’s build so it’s past time I get re-trained.

>> Worked out the details for summer camp promotion and got a lot of valuable answers in advance to share with the Troop.

>> Thinking of adding Wilderness Survival to the list of merit badges I’m a counselor for… much like Thoreau I’ve been running off to the woods since I was old enough to run. Right besides the heritage it’s one of my favorite things about Scouting.

Of course none of these thoughts have to do with receiving this in the mail today

How was your Scouting day?

 

Day 20: To Be Prepared

Today I went into my Scout archives and handed down to my son my Patrol Leaders Handbook from 25 years ago. He’s got a full Patrol to lead now and should have the right tools to do so.

Doing my part to support the patrol I ordered a supply of Phoenix Patrol patches from ClassB

Was feeling a little crafty and decided to build a “puzzle” as a visual aid for going over the Scout rank requirements. It’s 11×14 card-stock and all the elements of the badge Velcro in place.

To round things out taught myself how to tie the
Good Turn Knot that hangs at the bottom of the Second and First Class rank badges.

A good day for 20 out of 100.

 

Google Sites for Troop & Pack websites

Looking to host a Troop or Pack website with Google Sites? I’ve shared my templates here.

http://www.njtroop83.org

http://www.njpack83.org

For another great example of what you can do with Google Sites, please see my buddy Scoutmaster Shawn’s at Troop 1363

UPDATE:

The current site for www.njpack83.org is published as a template.  Because the template was created using a google apps/non-profit account the template unfortunately only works if you have a google apps/non-profit account yourself.  This quirkiness of the account types is something I didn’t learn of until all the work had been done.  The theme itself is actually a modification of the “PTO” featured theme that is available via google sites so if you don’t have the right type of account (education/non-profit) that may be the route to go if that’s the look you are looking for.

Also: While it’s going to be a while before it reaches the unit level, National BSA is pushing for a unified look and feel for all Council and District websites. Eventually this may come down to the unit level as well but that could be a ways out.

To be preemptive about the issue I recently created a new Google Sites theme that matches the National/Council “Words to Live By” campaign that they are using to brand all current sites. This theme can be used for Pack or Troop websites.

You can see the theme in action at our Troop website: www.njtroop83.org

This theme was designed using a standard google ID so I’ve been able to get it published into the Google Sites theme galleries.  (when selecting the theme Browse the gallery for more, and search for “BSA”).

I’ve posted some basic instructions for the new there here: http://scoutersjourney.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/bsa-google-sites-theme-100-days-of-scouting-days-51-52/.  This one works with any google ID.

 

Day 19: Blue & Gold

It was just about a year ago that I first started my first 100 days of Scouting. I began chronicling my Scouting adventures the morning after my son had crossed over to Boy Scouts. Tonight we were back again with our former Pack, this time to cross five new Scouts into our Troop.

Before the Blue & Gold all the Scouts and leaders attended mass together. it was a nice ceremony and I was happy to be able to share mass with my Scouts, the leaders and our community.

Last year when my son crossed over it was only he and another Scout that crossed. That 2nd Scout soon moved and a few months later we got 2 new recruits. The three of them have come a long way and have just enough experience that they’ll soon be leading themselves.

Now there are 5 more Scouts to complete the patrol. I still put a lot of faith in their choice – the Phoenix patrol – as in many ways it feels like the Troop has been reborn.

 

Day 18: Blue & Gold Horizon

Today’s Scouting activity was final preparations for my role in tomorrows Blue & Gold. Neckerchiefs, slides and welcome cards ready.
Tomorrow we welcome five new Scouts into our Troop.