Etsy Boy Scout bottle Cap

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Sunday, October 28, 2012

Cub Scout Promise and Law of the Pack to be retired straight from BSA executives




On Oct. 17, the BSA's Executive Board approved a resolution to use the Scout Oath and Law in the Cub Scout and Venturing programs. Specifically, the changes approved are as follows:
Cub Scouts:
  • Adopt the Scout Oath and Law for use in the Cub Scout program, retiring the Cub Scout Promise.
  • Revise the Core Values of Cub Scouts to align exactly with the twelve points of the Scout Law. 
  • Retire the Law of the Pack, while maintaining the concept of “Akela” as leader. 
  • Maintain the current Cub Scout motto, sign, salute, and handshake.
Venturing:
  • Retire the Venturing Oath, Code, sign and salute
  • Adopt the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout sign, and Scout salute
  • Engage the task force and National Youth Cabinet to determine whether Venturing should have a differentiating motto/slogan or adopt “Be Prepared”

This means that every Scout of any age will use the Scout Oath and Law instead of reciting separate, program-specific sayings. Cub Scouts will recite the Scout Oath and LawExternal Link instead of the Cub Scout PromiseExternal Link and Law of the PackExternal Link. Similarly, Venturers will no longer use the Venturing Oath and Venturing CodeExternal Link.  Because it will take time to transition into this new approach, the changes are not immediate.
These changes will become effective with the release of youth handbooks and leader aids supporting this and other changes related to Strategic Plan Goal 411; approximately Jan. 1, 2014, for Venturing-related changes and May 15, 2015, for Cub Scout and Boy Scout-related changes.
Additional questions or requests for more information may be directed to 411@scouting.org.

Frequently asked questions

Here are the BSA’s answers to some questions already received…
Q: Why are these changes happening?
A: Each of our programs is designed to help instill the goals of the BSA mission in its members’ daily lives. As the BSA strives to operate as one organization, build continuity of membership over a person’s life, and deliver its mission, considering one Oath and Law as a tool to unify our membership is appropriate. Additionally, the earlier and longer a member is exposed to the values of the Scout Oath and Law, the better the opportunity is that they will be able to live those values in their lives.
Q: How did these recommendations come to be?
A: Two separate task forces have worked on the deliberations leading to the recommendations – the Strategic Plan Goal 411 Task Force and the Venturing Task Force. Each of these is volunteer-led and staffed (approximately 50 and 25 volunteers, respectively).
These task forces made the initial deliberations and recommendations beginning in 2011 and early 2012 respectively.
In the case of the Cub Scout, the 411 task force consulted with cognitive and child development specialists and educational practitioners involved in Scouting. Specifically, these professional and scouters were asked to consider age & developmental appropriateness of the current Cub Scout Promise and Law of the Pack versus the Scout Oath and Law. The outcome of this study suggested that comprehension difficulty is high for both but not materially higher for the Scout Oath. Further the study group concluded that Cub Scouts could understand the Scout Law just as well as the Cub Scout Promise with appropriate support and guidance. Additionally, research among parents (62% favorable) and Cub Scout leaders (59% favorable) was also supportive. Cub Scouts would not be asked to memorize or recite the Scout Law at early ages.
With respect to Venturing, the primary discussion points centered around the length and lack of use of the current Venturing Code, the desire to support a seamless set of value statements between Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing (one program) and a desire to align Venturing’s value statements with those used for similar age programs worldwide.
Q: Isn’t the Scout Oath and Law much more difficult for Cub Scout age boys to memorize and understand?
A: This was an initial concern of the task force. To address this concern, the task force recruited a group of individuals with experience in child development and linguistics and a group of educational practitioners. All of these individuals are Scouters.
After study, the group’s conclusions were:
• Both sets of value statements contain complex concepts requiring support and guidance for the user to fully understand and learn to live buy.
• Both sets of values statements are written at a relatively high reading level, but the Scout Oath is not significantly more difficult to read and comprehend than the Cub Scout Promise.
• The Law of the Pack is significantly more difficult for Cub Scout age boys to understand than either the Cub Scout Promise or the Scout Oath and contains concepts for which younger Cub Scouts are not developmentally prepared.
• Cub Scout age boys will be able to learn and comprehend the Scout Oath with support and guidance similar to that currently provided when learning the Cub Scout Promise (cards as prompts, guided discussion on meaning, etc.).
• Cub Scouts in early ranks should not be expected to memorize the Scout Law but are developmentally ready to begin exposure to the words of the Law and are ready to begin building understanding of the concepts with help.
Q: Cub Scouts is not Boy Scouts. If Cub Scouts use the Scout Oath and Law, what will separate the programs, what will the boys look forward to?
A: Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are separate programs. Cub Scouts preparing to move to Boy Scouts will continue to anticipate the new uniform, the increase in independence and leadership growth of the patrol method, the enhanced opportunities for fun and adventure thru age appropriate troop activities they could not do as Cub Scouts and the Boy Scout advancement program and other opportunities. Use of the same Oath and Law will unify them with their older “brothers” but will not make them Boy Scouts.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Fun Song to Learn for Cubs

‘It Happened to Jane’ (1959) starred Jack Lemmon and Doris Day. Some people think this is an O.K. movie (Ernie Kovaks is the villain). It really has a good story and result to the show.  Love the 50's!!
This clip is a little long, but the first part is the most important.

Note the reasonably realistic, chaotic group of Cub Scouts. Doris singing ‘Be Prepared’ as Jack strums the ukulele on backup.

It's a perfect example of enthusiastic leaders and how to make the most of a group of chaotic boys.  Enjoy!!  The MP3 version is downloadable at the UK amazon website. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Prepared/dp/B005I67WA2





Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Vision of Scouting in LDS Troops

The most recent Ensign has a fantastic article on the scouting program.  Share with your leaders.  

Capturing the Vision of Scouting by David L. Beck in the Ensign June 2012.

Topics discussed:
 Learning Our Duty
Strengthening Young Men
Being Strong in the Spirit
Becoming Shepherds of Young Men

As cub leaders, we prepare those young boys to become Young Men.  We should be working hard at all these items to help them become Strong Leaders of Men.

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/06/capturing-the-vision-of-scouting?lang=eng&query=capturing+vision+scouting


Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Sewing Tips for sewing Scout Badges

I  really like this information.  I may invest in the magic badge tape!  I usually try to match the color of the thread around the badges.

TIP: for Unit Numerals try sewing them together first before sewing them on the uniform.

TIP: you can also tape them in place instead of pinning.  Just do not sew over the tape.  Tape half of the badge then remove the tape to finish sewing.  I use double sided tape.

http://www.scoutmastercg.com/2009/09/sewing-on-scout-patches/


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Welcome to new Cub Leaders

Cub Scout Leader Vitamins

When new leaders come into our pack I give them some new leader vitamins.  I buy the mini M&Ms in tubes and then print this out and tape on the outside.  It works great as a fun "welcome to the pack" ceremony.


Leaders’ Vitamins

Green: Good Ideas – Take regularly
Yellow: Energy – Take sparingly
Orange: Patience– Take faithfully
Brown: Planning – Take monthly
Red: Pizzazz & Creativity – Take before
meetings and share with a fellow leader.


Sunday, May 6, 2012

Clip Art for cub scouts

There's lots of computer programs too to get clipart, but how about some free stuff to Dress up

http://clipart.usscouts.org/library/


While doing some research to make Class B uniforms for boy to use at Summer Camp I cam across this website.  This has a lot of scouting clipart to use for BSA purposes.  Thought I would pass along the website.

http://www.dog-walker.us/scouting/bsaclrti.htm

LDS Troops and Woodbadge

A friend has made a website for LDS Troops and thought I would pass this along.

www.ldstroops.com

He was doing it toward one of his woodbadge tickets.  Woodbadge is "extra" leadership training and well worth the experience.  I personally have not completed it, but my husband has and so has his brother.  I know many other leaders who have taken it as well.  It is not just for boy scout leaders, but for any scouting leaders.  I'm sure it is well worth the time and money.  A great learning experience will be in store.

Here is the website to tell you about woodbadge.

www.woodbadge.org

Sunday, February 26, 2012

February - Resourcefulness Theme for Blue & Gold

We just had our Blue & Gold on the 22nd of February.  The February Theme is Resourcefulness.  Last year the pack went with Camping, but this year we did "Survivor".  It was AWESOME!  We borrowed most of the decorations which was great so we saved money on that.  Everyone had a job and we had loads of help.

Our decorations included palm trees, tiki torches, fake trees for our Tribal Council, Survivor Theme Music, a Kayak to take photos in, fish netting, sea shells and much more.

Our cub scouts were in charge of putting together the centerpieces for the evening using things they had in a bag   that was given to them from our committee.

We had two games :  Who could build the tallest balloon tower in 7 minutes and the Mystery Food game.

HERE are links to other pages on this site about Blue & Gold

BLUE & GOLD BANQUET

BASICS TO PLANNING A BLUE & GOLD BANQUET








Great Cub Scout Website for Games, Song and More

I've seen quite a few, but this is one of the best websites I've seen lately that has really good ideas and information about the cub scouting program.  It has skits, games and lots of  information.

http://theideadoor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=79