LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Last night, when I was checking out a few Scouting related blogs, I had a quick flashback to the early 1990's. BuffaloEagle, at Lone Star Scouter, had posted a list of the eleven skills of leadership. Upon seeing them I was taken back to my Woodbadge training at Camp Stearns.

The skills are:

Communications

Knowing and Using Resources

Understanding the Characteristics and Needs of the Group and Its Members

Planning

Controlling the Group

Effective Teaching

Representing the Group

Evaluating

Sharing Leadership

Counseling

Setting the Example

Buffalo Eagle wrote that these skills were discussed during a COPE course that he attended. I went through COPE nearly ten years ago, but I do not remember discussing these during the course. Maybe we did. I do not remember. I was having too much fun climbing things and riding the zip line.

The Eleven Skills of Leadership. It has been awhile since I have thought about them. Maybe it is time to review them. Now, where did I put my Woodbadge notebook?

The Leader's Campfire

The internet has opened new worlds of information and new ways to communicate since it became popular two decades ago. (Gosh, has it been that long already?) During the last few years audio and video podcasts have become a popular method of delivering sights and sounds to the web audience.

Those of you who visit this blog know that it also serves as the home of the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast, or MSPP. This podcast features videos of Boy Scout activities and even campfire songs and skits. Is MSPP the only Scouting related podcast on the web? No, not at all. There are dozens of Scouting podcasts listed on the iTunes music store. If you do a search on Google or Yahoo I am sure you would find dozens, if not hundreds, more.

I was recently a guest on an audio podcast which discusses Cub Scouting topics. The Leader's Campfire is hosted by two Cub Scout leaders, Mr. Bob and Cubmaster Chris. During the shows (thirty so far) they have covered a wide range of Cub Scouting, Tiger Cubbing, and Webelos topics. Occasionally they invite a guest or two on the show.

I was invited to be a member of a panel of leaders to discuss Webelos transition for the thirtieth episode. Bob, Chris, and I were joined by John, Lori, and Mac, who are Cub Scout leaders from around the country. The final product turned out to be nearly an hour long podcast about Webelos transition. I am not going to cover the details about what we discussed in this blog because I want you to go to their website and listen to it. I strongly suggest that Cubmasters and Webelos den leaders listen to this podcast, episode 30.

Personally, it was a great experience for me. I was able to meet five fantastic and dedicated Cub leaders from around the United States, and share ideas with them. Hopefully, those ideas will help other Cub Scout and Webelos leaders around the country.

This was the second time that I have participated in a podcast of the PTC Media network. The first time just kinda happened when one night when I found myself online the same time Mr. Bob and his son Ty were about to tape an episode of Akela's Adventure. Ty, Bob, and Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, had a great time discussing the activities Ty participated in while at Cub Scout Day Camp.

I invite you all to listen to The Leader's Campfire, Episode #30. Should I be allowed to participate in another podcast in the future? Or should I retire my microphone and headset? Let me know what you think by leaving a comment.

And don't forget, that anyone who leaves a comment to a "A Scoutmaster's Blog" article this month will be entered into a drawing for a dvd-r featuring twenty Scouting promotional videos.

MSPP #19: The Many Point Scout Camp Rouser 2007

The summer camp season is over. Troops have gone home, adult leaders have gone back to work, and the Boy Scouts are preparing for school to begin. By now the many young adults who spend their summers as camp staff have also gone home. Many of them are preparing for another year of college.

The staff at the Buckskin Camp of Many Point Scout Camp in Minnesota did an excellent job this year. They were hard working, always cheerful, and ready to assist any of the Boy Scout campers who needed a little extra help. The Boy Scouts of Troop 68 attended camp during July 15-21 and had a great time, mainly due to the wonderful camp staff.

So, this post to the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast is dedicated to the hard working summer camp staff. This video features the Buckskin staff at the week's opening campfire program singing the Many Point Rouser. You may notice that we are inside the dining hall during the campfire program. We like to stay dry when we can. I like the way the staff is so fired up and ready for a good time. That attitude spread among the Scouts like wildfire.

Enjoy it and let us know what you think of it by leaving a comment.
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Watch Video on the troop's website.
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An Hour A Week?

If you have been involved with Scouting for any length of time you have probably heard someone say, "It only takes an hour a week." What a joke that is! Just a bit of a misleading line there, huh? Let us take a look at a typical month of Scouting during this scoutmaster's life.

We have three troop meetings a month. At ninety minutes per meeting, plus drive time, plus waiting for parents to pick their boys after the meeting, I can estimate two hours per meeting. Monthly total here is 6 hours.

One committee meeting per month, average of 1.5 hours. One patrol leader council meeting per month, average two hours. One district roundtable meeting each month with drive time to council office, average of three hours. Total of monthly meetings is 6.5 hours each month.

One weekend camping trip per month. The Scouts arrive at 6:00 Friday evening. Parents pick up the last boy at 11:00 Sunday morning. Total hours of camping trip is 41 hours. (Yes, I counted the sleeping hours. I am still in charge of the Scouts, am I not?)

Now, let's add this up. It comes to 53.5 hours during the month. (Keep in mind that this does not include any prep time, fund raising, training, or special activity time yet.) Divide this figure by four weeks per month. Gosh! That comes to an average of 13.75 hours per week.

An hour a week? Not even close! But this demonstration does show that those of us who are scoutmasters can be quite dedicated to the program and the boys. The amazing thing is that I sometimes feel that I am spending more "quality time" with the boys then some of their parents do. What does this say about our society?

Scouting can be a great organization for boys and their parents. It gives them a chance to do some things together. Come on parents! Get involved with that Cub Pack or Boy Scout Troop. Become a committee member, a pack leader, or an assistant scoutmaster.

After all, it only takes an hour a week.
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Looking For A Few Good Quotes #2

I enjoy reading articles about the good that Scouting does across the nation and around the world. I also like reading quotes from well know people who are not afraid to talk about the positive aspects of the Scouting program. I wish the national office would somehow use these quotes to counter the negative publicity that we see so much in the media these days.


"The Boy Scouts of America stands for a set of principles. These principles have a lot of staying power. The values you learn as a Scout are like a compass. They can help you find your way through difficult and sometimes unchartered terrain. The principles of Scouting give you a sense of what's important. I feel I owe the Boy Scouts a great deal, both personally and professionally." Bill Bradley, former U.S. senator, New Jersey

"The Boy Scouts of America has something going for it that all the government welfare programs in America can't match: success. Besides families and religion, Scouting is probably this country's single best program for building character in boys, and has been for nearly a century." The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

"Scouting exposes young men to people and experiences that encourage and nurture positive moral values. But we mustn't take Scouting for granted. You can do nothing more important for young people today than to continue, or begin, your support of Scouting. I have never met anyone with devoted Scouting experience who was not a solid citizen, a loyal friend, and a patriot. We need more of them." Wallace G. Wilkinson, former governor of Kentucky

"Following the Scout Law sounds like a game plan that would give us all a better chance for success in life—and I mean every area of life." Zig Ziglar, author and motivational speaker

"I assure you of my own personal appreciation of Scouting as a magnificent experience and form of social and religious commitment." His Holiness Pope John Paul II

MSPP #18: The Movie Skit

The Boy Scouts of Troop 68 in Central Minnesota Council have a tradition of performing for others enjoyment. They have performed at campfire programs, council camporees, summer camp programs, and community events. For over ten years the troop has held an annual Laughs For Lunch Show during which they basically do a ninety minute campfire program. This program is open to the community.

The show held in 2006 was one of the best shows the troop has ever held. Luckily for all of us, it was videotaped on digital tape which makes it easy to break down and put on the web. This podcast will be showcasing some of these skits over the next few months.

Today's post to Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast is The Movie Skit. This skit has become a favorite of the troop's, not only to watch but also to perform. The Scouts have a great time with it and are always trying to come up with new ways of "performing" it. The first three "takes" basically set up the skit. After that it is anything goes. The troop has also tried a couple ways to end the skit. I do not want to give away the ending, or punchline, so you will have to watch this one yourself.

All the members of the group in this skit have graduated from high school and are currently in college. I know they all have some great memories about Scouting. Four of the six Scouts did earn their Eagle Rank. Many of them attended Philmont Scout Ranch. But I think the Laughs For Lunch Shows will always be one of those Scouting experiences they will remember for years to come.

Enjoy it and let us know what you think of it by leaving a comment.
Download Podcast
Watch Video on the troop's website.
Subscribe through iTunes.
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U.S. Forest Service Camper Comments

I think you will really get a chuckle out of this. I was reading the the latest post to the Lone Star Scouter blog by buffaloeagle. He listed comments left by campers to the U.S. Forest Service in 1996. Here is a sampling. You can read the rest of the seventeen comments at his website.

• “A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call.”
• “Escalators would help on steep uphill sections.”
• “Instead of a permit system or regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to wilderness.”
• “Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands.”
• “Ban walking sticks in wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are more likely to chase animals.”

After reading these, and giggling a little, I started thinking about how self-centered, and stupid, that people can be. I really wish that more people would get involved with Scouting and similar programs so that more of the population would appreciate what the outdoors and nature have to offer us. It is time that most Americans get off of their butts, away from their televisions and computers, leave the shopping malls behind, and enjoy nature at its finest. (Of course, I am writing this while sitting in front of a computer monitor in an air conditioned room. Ironic, isn't it?)

Cub Scout Casper, Boy Scout Clark.

To tell the truth, I have no idea why I have been on a string of Scouting in Comics this last week. But I have enjoyed it, and I get a feeling that many of you who read this blog have enjoyed these posts too. That being said, I have two more things to add to the "comics" list.

I came across this today on eBay. Someone is auctioning a comic book in which Casper, the friendly Ghost, becomes a Cub Scout. It is a 1975 special edition to celebrate the BSA's 65th anniversary. I would not mind bidding on the comic book since it has a starting bid of only $1.99. However, the postage price is pretty steep at $5.60. It really should not cost more then $1.50 to ship a comic book. Besides, now that I have told you all about it, it will probably go for over $150.00. (smiles to myself)

After all, I have seen what can happen when I post something. I wrote about the nine plush Beagle Scout Snoopy's for sale on Amazon. I bought two right away for 3.99 apiece. Good thing I did. The next day, when I thought I should buy a couple more to use as gifts, I noticed all the cheap ones were gone and I would have to pay more for the next ones I bought. I looked again as I was writing this article and noticed there are now only two left. Coincidence? I think not!

The second thing about comics that came to mind today is that Superman has been called a Boy Scout many times. It was done in the comic books, in the movies, and even in the newest incarnation on television, Smallville. Unfortunately, it is usually said when people are making fun about Superman or Clark Kent. You know, who cares? Superman is a great role model. I am glad that even though Superman never was a Boy Scout, people regard his trustworthiness, loyalty, and bravery as Boy Scout attributes.

Well, this is probably the last post about this topic. I hope you have enjoyed it. Don't forget to leave a comment and enter this month's drawing.

Scouts Calvin, Mickey, and Garfield

In the last blog post I wrote about Snoopy, the Beagle Scout. I think it is great to see Scouting in this type of media. Innocent, yet very entertaining. Charles Schulz did a great job of touching our funny bone with this favorite Peanuts character. But it was not the only time Scouting has been a part of a major comic strip.

There was once a young boy named Calvin. His best friend was a tiger by the name of Hobbes. For a short time Calvin decided to join a Cub Scout pack and go out for an overnight hike. Calvin quickly discovered that Scouting was not his favorite type of activity. Why, there was no place to plug in the microwave he had brought along. Nope, Calvin and Hobbes would rather spend their days exploring strange new worlds, or playing a rough and tumble game of Calvinball. You can see some of the Calvin the Cub Scout comics here!

The picture I used for this post is Mickey Mouse dressed in a Boy Scout-like uniform. I do not remember where I collected this picture from. I do not know the story behind it. I did a quick search in Google for "boy scout mickey mouse" and did not come up with much. Drop me a line if you know the story behind the picture.

Then, of course, there is Garfield. In 2000-2001 Garfield's creator allowed the fat cat to be used to help promote Cub Scouting. I have not heard anything about how well the promotion went, but I do have my patches of Garfield the Cub Scout that I received at the 2001 National Jamboree. You can some of the Garfield images here.

Well, that wraps up what I currently know about Scouting showing up in popular comic strips here in the USA. I am sure there are other cases of this occurring, but I can not think of any other at the moment.

**Drawing update - So far only two people have entered the drawing for the dvd of Scouting promotional films. If you wish to qualify for the drawing then look back for a previous post about the rules.

The Beagle Scout

I have a scrapbook that few people have seen. In fact, I seldom take it out to look at it myself. It contains some old Scouting mementos. It has my BSA membership cards, merit badge cards, and Totin' Chip card from when I was a Boy Scout. It's pages include over twenty years of BSA cards from my stint as an assistant scoutmaster and scoutmaster of Troop 68. It also contains pictures from my elementary school years, a couple report cards, and my high school graduation program. All these things are interesting to look at once in a while, but the book also contains something that is really fun to read, or look at, depending on your point of view.

The scrap book contains fifteen comic strips that I cut from a newspaper when I was a teenager. These strips feature that wonderful dog we all know and love, Snoopy! What makes these strips so special to me is that they are the ones that feature Snoopy as a Boy Scout.

The strip begin with Snoopy as a Tenderpaw. Lucy teases him about being such a low rank to which Snoopy replies that he will work and work to reach the top and become a... Beagle Scout! As the story line continues we watch as the lovable beagle go out for a hike, and then becomes hopelessly lost. He is finally rescued by a Girl Scout selling cookies. Of course, Lucy is true to form and has to tell Snoopy how disappointed she is to see a Beagle Scout rescued by a Girl Scout.

The strip then goes on and we see Snoopy as the "Scout Leader" of a "patrol" that contains Woodstock and his friends. Did you know Woodstock's friends were named Conrad, Oliver, and Bill? I like the strips when Snoopy talks about first aid and the evening meal with his troop.

I discovered, after a quick search on the internet, that Snoopy first appeared as a Scout on May 13, 1974. I was thirteen years old at the time. Wow, I did not realize that these newspaper strips were that old. You can see this first strip here and read about Lucy criticizing Snoopy on his new identity. The strip is found at the bottom of the page.

I also discovered that there are a couple Beagle Scout Snoopy toys available on Amazon.com. One plush Snoopy seems to come with a little book conatining the Scouting comic strips. Hmmm... how much credit do I have left on my card? Oh boy! Looks like I have enough to buy two of them!

The Eagle Scoutmaster Conference

Mike called to schedule his scoutmaster conference for the rank of Eagle Scout. I had been looking forward to this call. He had finished his Eagle Project a week earlier, and his merit badges had been completed last May.

It got me thinking about this blog and the article I posted last September about scoutmaster conferences. There are a few additional points that I like to cover during an Eagle conference so I thought I would take the time to share them with you.

One of the first things we do is the uniform inspection. Troop 68 does not require a Scout to be in uniform from hat to socks, but we do require the belt, neck wear, and the shirt with all the patches in their proper place. Just as a person is expected to dress sharply for a job interview I like to see the Scout correctly dressed for his Eagle board of review and court of honor.

The Scout and I will spend several minutes talking about the merit badges he has earned on his way to the Eagle Rank. Which ones were the easiest to earn? The hardest? The most fun? Which ones did he enjoy the most? Which ones taught him the most? Why?

Holding a position of responsibility is a requirement that I like to talk to the Scout about. I not only like him to talk about the position he used for the Eagle Rank, but also discuss the other positions he has held during his tenure as a Scout. Which ones did he enjoy, or maybe not enjoy so much? What has he learned about leadership. Is it easy being a leader?

Of course, we also talk about his Eagle project. Projects seldom go as originally planned. It is interesting to hear about what did not go according to plan, and how the Scout was able to solve the problems that arose. Did he accomplish all his goals? I know the board of reviews will be covering this subject heavily so I try to prepare him during the conference.

My favorite portion of the conference is when the Scout looks back on his years in Scouting. I ask him what have been his favorite activities since joining the troop. What activities did he dislike? What are some of his best memories about Scouting? Who were the people who helped him the most during his years as a Scout? Is there anything he wished he would have done differently?

A scoutmaster needs to ask questions that are open ended, questions that require more then a simple "yes" or "no" answer. The goal is for the Scout to do most of the talking, not the scoutmaster.

As the conference comes to an end we take time to review his Eagle Project Workbook and get all the dates and information correct on his Eagle Application.

I enjoy the Eagle scoutmaster conference. It gives the Scout and myself a chance to really talk about what Scouting has meant to him. For the seventeen year old Scout it is probably the last time we will get to sit and chat about his last six years in Scouting. I just hope it will not be the last time we get to visit and chat. After all, he will soon be going off to college and begin a life on his own.

MSPP #17: The Law of the Pack

In May I posted the first video featuring Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, and Michael, the giggling Cub Scout. Michael was trying to teach Buttons a little about Cub Scouting. Unfortunately, Buttons did not quite understand and the giggling began.

Today's post to the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast pairs up the two again. In this video Michael is still trying to teach Buttons the Cub Scout Oath, but this time they get sidetracked and begin to talk about the Cub Scout Law. The two work well together and play off each other very well. This is the second of three videos that were made with Michael and Buttons.

So, click a link, sit back, and enjoy another episode with Buttons, the radical Boy Scout. If you have any ideas for a new video featuring Buttons leave a comment. We love to hear from you.

Download Podcast
Watch Video on the troop's website.
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A Week of Adventure (Part #2)

The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 awoke Thursday morning, July 16, knowing that they had only two days left to enjoy the fun and adventure of Many Point Scout Camp. And they planned to enjoy every minute of it.

The Scouts attended their merit badge sessions that morning, just like they had for the previous three days. The real fun began after lunch. The troop's first activity was at the archery range. Not only were the boys able to practice their skills with the bow and arrow but they also had the chance to shoot targets with the slingshot and throw the tomahawks.

The climbing tower was the next stop for the troop. The tower had several climbs set up, from fairly easy to rather difficult. The bouldering wall, on which a person climbed horizontally instead of vertically, was also popular with the boys. Zack proved himself as the troop's best climbing this year when he successfully climbed both the incline climb and the overhang.

The troop's third activity was to sit back and relax in the Buckskin sauna. The sauna is a building next to the swimming beach that is heated with a wood burning stove. This was a new experience for a couple of the boys. After three times of sweating in the sauna and cooling off in the lake many of the Scouts declared it to be one of their favorite activities.

The Melrose Scouts scattered to all parts of the camp as all the program areas opened after supper. The two oldest members of the troop traveled to Many Point's Flintlock Camp, the high adventure outpost. Andy and Dakota would be spending the evening and night on the Huck Finn Raft, located out on the lake.

Friday morning was the Scouts last chance to complete the merit badges they had been working on during the week. Then it time to hop into the vehicles for a drive to Itasca State Park, the location of the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The troop spent the entire afternoon at this huge state park. The boys even took the opportunity to walk down the first portion of the river, welcoming the cool water on a warm day.

The week's activities came to a close Friday night as the campers, adult leaders, and staff gathered for the closing campfire. It was a gorgeous evening as each troop performed a song or skit to the enjoyment of the entire camp. The Melrose Scouts performed a song they had never before done at a campfire program. Imagine the Chicken Dance song done with kazoos as the instruments and you may be able to picture what they did.

As the Scouts reflected on the week before going to bed that night, two boys commented that they were not ready to go home yet. They were having too much fun. However, after a good night's sleep, they were anxious to get home and back to their families and their own beds.
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Let's Hold A Drawing!

July was a good month for visitors to "A Scoutmaster's Blog". In addition to those of you who are regulars readers there were a lot of new visitors to the blog. The articles about the eighty year old assistant scoutmaster, the camp ranger, and the Boy Scout pick-up lines were very popular.

To thank you all for reading this blog I would like to hold a drawing this month. I plan to give two lucky winners a dvd I compiled which includes about twenty short Scouting promotional videos. These videos can be seen on our troop's website and on Youtube. I have had quite a few people ask for a copy of this video during the past year so I thought this might make a nice prize for this drawing.

If you would like to be entered as a participant for this drawing all you have to do is to leave a comment to an August article of this blog. Comments to previous blog articles will not apply. I will hold the drawing at the end of the month. Comments must include a name and email address (so that I can let you know if you are a winner.) Anonymous entries will not be included in the drawing. I will limit the entries to two per person. (This drawing is not sponsored by the BSA.)

Good luck! And thanks for reading "A Scoutmaster's Blog".
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