Pacific
Crest District
of the San Diego-Imperial Council, Boy Scouts of America
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previous PostPacific Crest Post - October 2009 Chairman’s Message The start of a new school year ushers in the start of a new Scout year as well. For Cub Scouts, they officially start on their achievements for their new rank; Boy Scouts start in on new challenges following summer camp and other adventures. It's the content of the program that brings them back, and it's up to us to deliver the best program we can. What makes a good program, and what makes a good program great? There are several things your adult leaders can do: planning and preparation ahead of meetings and outings, training for what you do, clear communication, creative ideas. But the number one rule for a great program is very simple. Make it fun. Add pizzazz to each den and pack meeting. Make those opening and closing ceremonies at troop meetings more than just saying the Scout Oath again. Make the activities a bit challenging to engage the boys in achieving something they didn't know they could do - and this applies at all levels. For Cubs it might be building a tool box from wood or naming 20 species of birds. For Boy Scouts it might be a river trip or camping on the snow. I encourage each of you to find a way to step up the game this year for your scouts. Talk to other leaders and attend Roundtable to share ideas on outings and activities that will excite the scouts, and you might find that you're excited too! All of this planning and creativity takes a lot of work, and the more adult hands available the easier the work is. Trust me, I've been part of a six scout unit and part of a 54 scout unit, and I definitely prefer the latter when it comes to delegating work. That is one of the many reasons we promote recruiting in September and October as we start the new program for the year. This is a great time for a young man to join the program, and every kid comes with at least one parent and even an occasional grandparent or two. Recruit adults as you add new scouts and give them a small task - helping at a den meeting, bringing refreshments to the Pack meeting, eventually perhaps organizing transportation for an outing or working with the boys. Building your membership gives you a deeper and richer program, something your scout deserves. District Merit Badge Night The next Merit Badge Night is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18. Please check the website at http://www.troop679.org/mbnight/. The Merit badges being offered this night are: Citizenship in the Community Energy Horsemanship Law If you are interested in helping out, either as a volunteer or as a Merit Badge Counselor, send an email to mbpacificcrest@cox.net. Eagle Scouts We have held Eagle Boards of Review (EBOR) on two nights since the last newsletter. One EBOR night was held on July 16, 2009, at which three Eagle candidates appeared before three separate Eagle panels. The other EBOR night was held on Aug. 20, 2009, at which two Eagle candidates appeared before two separate Eagle panels. As a result of these EBORs, we now have five new Eagle Scouts in our District. This brings the total number of Eagle ranks earned in our District to 10 so far during 2009. The new Eagle Scouts are: July 16, 2009 Josh Evola - Troop 768 Connor Spain - Troop 130 Collin Torsak - Team 635 Aug. 20, 2009 Taylor Andrews - Troop 130 Sam Abbott - Troop 130 Congratulations Josh, Connor, Collin, Taylor and Sam for a job well done! A special thank you to the adults who volunteered to sit on the EBOR panels. District Executive Letter Hello Pacific Crest District. Every Fall, there are a number of things that occur in Scouting that needs all of our attention. I would like to address two items: Fall roundup and new leader training. Fall Roundup: The health of any scout unit is dependant on recruiting. It is especially important at the cub scout level. New boys (and their parents) who participate in cub scouts go on the boy scouts. The earlier a boy starts with cub scouts, the more likely they are to continue to the older programs. For cub packs, having a good crop of Tigers or Wolves recruited each Fall help ensure a sufficient critical mass of boys and new parents to lead and support the program. It is very evident in the operations of a cub pack when they had a weak roundup a year or two back. Not only is there a hole moving through their program as boys move through the program, but there is usually a crisis in leadership when the seasoned leaders move on to boy scouting, but there are no one waiting in the wings. Then, either a leader whose son has moved out of the cub program feels obligated to stay behind to ensure the continuation of the pack –or- new leaders have to step up in a "sink or swim" transition that effects the quality of the program. To help ensure there are enough boys in your program and an adequate pool of parents to draw from to be adult leaders, don’t allow roundup time to slip by or be relegated to a second or third tier priority. To help ensure your success, I have a few suggestions: * Plan ahead. * Involve the whole pack in recruiting efforts. * Plan several roundup efforts. (sometimes things go wrong. Have a backup plan(s)). * Coordinate with your DE and District Membership Chairman (We can be a BIG help!) Unit leaders, please contact me for help with flyers, school walk-thrus, roundup planning, and recruitment night assistance. I can be reached at 619-298-6121 x266 or jeff.young@scouting.org New Leader training: Getting new leaders trained is vital to your unit’s program. Not only does it ensure that the leaders delivering the program to your boys are doing so according to BSA principles, but helps get those new parents/ leaders engaged quickly. I can think of few things as frustrating as being asked to do a job and not being given the training to understand and do the job. In order to assist those new leaders, most of the basic training courses are available online. They can be done at the new leader’s convenience and at their pace. Just go to the council website www.sdicbsa.org under the training tab. Then click on the online classes. Another fantastic resource is Roundtable. On the second Thursday at 7pm, the district conducts trainings on the coming month’s theme. It is a useful training where leaders can get ideas and ask questions regarding issues relevant to their units. New leaders will especially benefit from attending. There area number of resources available to units through the district. There is no need to struggle on your own. Help is available for the asking. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of them.
Unit Commissioners Meeting Please attend the Unit Commissioners Meeting in October. We will be discussing how to assist your units in Rechartering. Please let your units know that the traditional membership registration fee for all youth and adults will increase to $15.00 from its current $10.00. Please attend this meeting scheduled for Thursday October 8, 2009 even if you are a Rechartering expert. You can assist other Unit Commissioners with tips and suggestions.
Busy Borrego Units Pack 696 - Pack 696 held year end awards and bridging-over ceremony Sunday, June 14 at the American Legion Post 853. New Cubmaster, Tony Wann, awarded earned belt loops, beads, Webelos Activity pins, and trail patches to our cubs. Den Leader Rachel Wann painted Tiger marks on Jacob Wann and James Asche who advanced to the Wolf den. Second year Webelos Chris Jouskey and Erik Tulving earned their AOL badges. Special guests Paul and Marjorie Schuessler awarded the boys their last activity pin, Craftsman. The scouts showed off their wood work plaques that will display their ornamental arrow. Jouskey and Tulving proceeded to bridge over to Troop 696 where Scout Master Nick Cline welcomed them over to boy scouts. Pack 696 welcomes newest Bobcat scout Jose Castaneda. Before June expired, Pack 696 along with a few boy scouts, went bowling. Troop 696 - Erik Tulving of Troop 696, joined Troop 570 (Minnesota based) on his first high adventure to Beartooth Mountains in Custer National Forest, Montana. Tulving backpacked on the East Rosebud trail’s 26 miles over 5 days. "The best thing about this trip was relaxing at the campsites each night when all the chores were done." The scouts earned two High Adventure awards: Hard Back Award and Puddleduck (it rained every day).
Ghouls Needed The annual Haunted Trail Hikes at Dos Picos County Park on Saturday October 24th and on Halloween Saturday, October 31st is looking for volunteer ghouls. Anyone interested in being a spooky creature inhabiting the trail on one or both nights should contact Ranger Kyle at kyle.icke@sdcounty.ca.gov or 760-579-9858 as soon as possible. The trail is going to be spooky and will be a moderate walk with some hills and uneven surfaces. Visitor hikers should bring an adult and a flashlight. Park in the day use lot and meet the ranger over by the park restrooms (where the lights are). Fun was had by all at the Thank you to all the volunteers who made it possible! 89 Cubs +
Special Training Sessions Offered On Saturday morning, November 14, we are going to do a special training session, different than most anything you will find anywhere else. While the total agenda has not been set yet, we are planning to cover some of the following topics:
This training should be valuable for everyone, no matter how experienced. And
if you have another topic you would like thrown into the mix, please let me or
someone else on the District Committee know, and if we can figure out a way to
teach it, we will do it.
Cub Roundtable The Cub Scout program offers so many fun monthly themes for your Cubs to explore. Every few years you will experience these themes again. At your Committee planning meetings, adjust or change the themes to fit your Pack's needs. Gather some ideas from this year's day camp for our October theme...Jungle Safari! Get your day camp cook books out and enjoy your favorite recipes. Visiting our local wildlife sanctuaries, nature centers, or zoo, will remind the boys to treat all living creatures with extra care. Start your new Webelos on the right track by working on the Citizen Activity Badge, one of the Webelos Badge requirements. Setting goals to complete Scholar Activity Badge requirements will give Webelos a different perspective of their education program. Use your Cub Scout Leader Book for ideas to create a short play based on The Jungle Book story and complete a Showman Activity Badge requirement. What is a hero? The World Book Dictionary defines hero: 1. "a man or boy admired for his bravery, great deeds, or noble qualities." 2. "a person admired for contribution to a particular field." November's theme will offer an opportunity for our Cubs to appreciate the efforts of everyday heroes. They may even recognize heroes among themselves. Educate the Webelos by visiting some of our local emergency agencies and volunteer programs. Invite a nurse to a den meeting to assist in teaching first aid. Encourage them to create emergency escape plans for their families. A "Readyman" is a prepared Cub Scout. Beautiful works of art are all around us, in nature, at museums, and in ourselves waiting to be discovered. December's theme encourages the Cub Scout's creativity to shine while also appreciating the works of others. Enjoy a day at the museums to view works of art and other exhibits. Listings of the "free" days can be found in your telephone book or on the internet. Webelos' creativity and curiosity will spark while working on the Craftsman and Scientist Activity Badges in December. Just a reminder...December is my opportunity to give back to the leaders in our district. I will prepare some of my favorite dishes to share with you. Come enjoy food, fellowship, and fun games! Bring something to share about your Pack's adventures in 2009. Hope to see you at Roundtable!
Ransom Brothers Supports Scouting Practically every community has a Scouting presence. A Scouting program providing for the needs of the youth in a community exists in part because of a generous community. It’s the community and its various organizations, individuals, and businesses that contribute invaluable resources, both tangible and often intangible, that are essential to the success of the program…and strengthens that program even more. We greatly appreciate and thank the members of our community who support Scouting. One community member, Ransom Brothers Lumber, stands out in their long-term and unique way of supporting Scouting. At a recent Ramona Chamber of Commerce event, Ransom’s owner JoAnne Gilchriest and son/manager Jimmy Gilchriest received an appreciation award from the Pacific Crest District for their offering of a $50 donation purchase credit to boys who purchased their Eagle Project materials at Ransom Brothers. We only have records going back 20 years, but we’re told that Ransom Brothers started this tradition many, many, years before that. In our District each year, on average 15 boys complete their Eagle project; Ransom’s gives out 10 Eagle project donations each year. Meaning: if you see an Eagle Project in Ramona, there’s a very good chance that Ransom’s supported that project. In these last 20 years, Ransom’s has supported approximately 200 Eagle projects in this fashion….over 20 years equates to about $10,000 donated to fund those Eagle projects. Those projects not only helped develop boys’ leadership skills, but benefited our community with the assets those projects created in the form of park benches, shade covers, kiosks, school trophy cases and garden planter boxes, just to name a few. If you see an Eagle project in our community that’s made up with any kind of paint, wood, or other hardware, it very likely was made with some help from Ransom’s.
Units Recharter Soon One of the upcoming activities for each Pack and Troop committee should be preparing for the rechartering process and evaluating their unit for a quality program. Each unit committee should have held an annual planning meeting in the last couple of months to set up the calendar of events - outings, monthly themes, special meetings such as Blue and Gold and Courts of Honor. Putting the plan in place makes delivering a quality program so much easier. The rechartering process is simply an update on member status - address change, current rank, adult leader positions - and collection of membership dues for the year. Annual membership fees are only $15, still an amazing bargain compared to other youth activities. Troops and Packs usually add additional fees for awards and unit activities, so please check with your unit committee for actual fees to be collected. All unit charters need to be submitted by December 15, and you can get a head start by updating your membership records now and letting your folks know about the upcoming payments. Recharter training will be available at the October Roundtable.
100 Year BSA Celebration We want every Scout, adult leader and Scouting alum to have the chance to be part of our biggest milestone yet - our 100th Anniversary Celebration! We want to fire up the passion for Scouting while giving everyone an opportunity to make a difference - and earn recognition. Individuals can earn awards by demonstrating dedication to five of Scouting’s core values - Leadership, Achievement, Community Service, Character and the Outdoors. Participants can earn one award in each category. The program will be both fun and engaging and most important, will show San Diego county the impact of Scouting through it’s commitment to these values. Award requirements are offered for Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Leader levels for each core value category. You can find more information and requirements on Council’s website http://www.sdicbsa.org/100th%20Anniversary/Patch%20Requirements.pdf
And the last page is the flier for the Trail to Eagle presentation by Bob Chisholm.
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