Lead, Train, Inspire

This past weekend our troop had our monthly campout. The forecast was grim and called for a weekend of rain and possible flooding. I was trying to think of more under the tarp kind of activities as backup when I came across Larry Geiger’s post on scoutmastercg.com. As the 4 attending Scouts had all recently completed their First Class rank it was the perfect opportunity for some troop leadership training. Larry shares his PowerPoint on the website. I rebranded it for our troop and customized it a bit, which your welcome to download and rebrand yourself.
As we were setting up tents Friday night in the rain I told the scouts that I needed them to block out an hour for me on Saturday for a brief leadership training.
By Saturday the weather had improved and the PL said that they’d opted to do the training after lunch. We took a (2 mile?) hike to the nature museum and followed that with a few hours of fishing – then the return hike. After the famished scouts finished lunch we started the training.
For an initiation to troop leader training it works really well. The gist, which I was glad the Scouts got it too, is that while all positions have different duties, some more demanding than others, it is the job of ALL troop leaders to

Lead, Train and Inspire
the younger Scouts to First Class.

And who are the real leaders of our troop?
The Scouts are – at least they’re growing to be.

Having a three word mantra they they can get behind and believe is a great thing.
It’s still pretty bumpy as far as the scouts working with each other. I’m hoping that in their opportunity to lead others they’ll see how much more they’re capable of. Our next campout we’ve invited the Webelos of our Pack to join us. Tomorrow were going to the pack meeting to “sell” the campout and get a head count.

They’ve got the torch – now to see how they run with it.

If you’re following the scoutmastercg blog and podcast be sure to check it out next week. Yours truly and ShelterBox Response Team member Mark Dyer were interviewed by Clark.
If you’re not following Clark’s blog you’re missing out – so get to it – you have until Monday

 

Honored to Serve

It was an honor to have our troop provide the color guard for the dedication today of Kenilworth’s new 9/11 memorial. The Scouts raised the flag and then lowered it to half mast.

To know that the first time the American flag was raised over this steel that was once part of the Twin Towers, was raised by the Scouts I lead, is beyond words.

To all those who continue to mourn may God be with you. May we always remember those that gave their lives and may we keep shining bright their memory as we serve the future generations.

God Bless America.

 

Pay It Forward

Tonight was the broadcast of NY Says Thank You

Started in 2003 at the suggestion of a 5-year-old boy, The New York Says Thank You Foundation has grown into one of the Nation’s leading organizations to transform the 9/11 Anniversary into a positive, hands-on platform for national volunteer service.

Each year on the 9/11 Anniversary, The New York Says Thank You Foundation sends hundreds of volunteers from New York along with disaster survivors from around the country to help rebuild communities around the United States recovering from disaster. It’s our way of saying “Thank You” for all the love and support Americans from across the country extended to New Yorkers in the days, weeks, and months following September 11.

The secret to our growing “Pay It Forward” movement is very simple: What we do is about 9/12.

Before September 11, 2001, the most harrowing memory I had was of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. When I was 9 or 10 I’d visited Kennedy Space Center. I had a large photo of the Challenger at night framed in my room. It represented dreams, ambition, challenge.

September 11, 2001 redefined a lot of people’s lives. It certainly was a turning point in mine.

If you get a chance share it with your Scouts. I had dust in my eyes a few times. It’s a really good portrayal of the very best of America, when we pull together as Scouts, as Citizens to help one another.

 

Boy Scouts and CERT

Yesterday a notice went out among our council that volunteers were needed to help distribute relief supplies that were being trucked into our area by the Red Cross. I don’t have exact statistics but I’ve been told that more than 800 households in our immediate area were severely impacted by Irene and the flooding that ensued.
This morning Scouts and other volunteers from Kenilworth, Clark and Cranford responded to the call and came out to distribute relief supplies and clean up kits. Unfortunately the Red Cross was delayed and has yet to show up.
For a while now I’ve been thinking about CERT and how the Boy Scouts could be a resource.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Sounds like a natural fit for Scouts doesn’t it?

I’m reaching out to our local agency to see what we can do to get the Scouts involved.

So I’m curious… Are there Scout units out there that have a formal relationship with their local CERT programs? If so what is the level of involvement. As always your comments are appreciated.

 

Hurricane Irene Assistance Needed

Fellow Scouts and their families in the upper part of our council can use your assistance after Hurricane Irene. 

Patriots’ Path Council would like to thank everyone for your efforts in helping those in need after Hurricane Irene.  Our council currently has many families who are in critical need of assistance which includes families who lost their homes and all of their possessions.  Please take this opportunity to donate monetary support to help those in critical need.  A “Donate Now” button has been setup on our front page http://ppbsa.org for ease of access.

Non-Perishable Items:

If you or someone you know can assist in donating non-perishable items, donation centers will be open close to your town to be distributed throughout the council on the following schedule:

Tuesday 9/5 7:30PM – 9:00PM

Munsee Roundtable
Oscelola Presbyterian Church
1689 Raritan Road, Clark, NJ

Bedding Needs:

• Bedding and/or sleeping bags - Can be dropped off at the Council Service Center located at 222 Columbia Turnpike, Florham Park, NJ on Thursday and Friday 9AM – 7PM and Saturday 9AM to Noon.

Service Opportunities:

• Volunteer support for housing families at Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation (Please call 973-347-3266) and Winnebago Scout Reservation (Please call 973-983-9075).
• Serving dinners at Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation (Please call 973-347-3266) and Winnebago Scout Reservation (Please call 973-983-9075).

Also Needed:

• Clothes dryer for Winnebago Scout Reservation.

If you have any questions or are able to assist in another capacity, please contact Mark Spaldo atmark.spaldo@scouting.org or by phone 973-765-9322 Ext. 251.

Thank you for your continued support.