Scout Law Scripture Chase

Trustworthy - D&C 82:10
Loyal - 3 Nephi 27:13, Moses 1:39, John 10:2-15
Helpful - Matthew 9:2-7, John 9:6-7, Luke 17:12-14, Matthew 25:40
Friendly - Matthew 9:11, John 15:13-15
Courteous - Matthew 5:37-45
Kind - Matthew 19:13-14, Mark 9:20-27
Obedient - 3 Nephi 11:11, Matthew 3:15
Cheerful - Joshua 1:9, But: John 11:35 when His friends sorrowed, and He commands us Mosiah 18:9
Thrifty - Matthew 6:28
Clean - John 13:4-10
Brave - Luke 22:42, Mark 5:36, 2 Timothy 1:7, D&C 121:7
Reverent - Mark 11:15-17

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 & Moroni 7:45-48

A little something to occupy you on a Sunday afternoon (and happy Scout Sunday).

Doing Hard Things

I have been really enjoying the Voluntold Scouter's recent series of "Owl Posts." This one about "Reaching Beyond Your Goals" especially struck a chord with me, because I have found myself doing something I did not think I could do. So I thought I would share the story.

I was recently contacted by our DE and informed that the nominating committee had nominated me to be the new District Commissioner. The position becomes official next week, and I have spent the last two months getting ready, trying to recruit some more staff, and learning as much as I can. I have already experienced a lot of frustration, sprinkled with small bits of progress.

Occasionally it crosses my mind that in a room full of District Commissioners, I would probably stand out just a little. In fact, I attended a Commissioners Conference on the other side of our council last year, and I definitely stood out. The other seven participants were gray-haired men who introduced themselves with things like, "I have been involved in Scouting since I was a Cub Scout 60 years ago." When my turn came, I did not have much more to say than, "I have been involved in Scouting off and on for 10 years. I have three boys. The oldest is seven. We have many years of Scouting ahead of us."

I know that in our district, you often have to take what you can get. Sometimes I wonder if that is what I am - what the District Nominating Committee could get - the first sucker to come along.

I have to remind myself that it does not matter if that is why I am in this position. It does not matter how many Charter Reps or Scoutmasters roll their eyes when I try to say something. All that matters at this point is what I do with the position now that I am in it.

For the last several years, I have had a wish that there was something I could do to help as many units as I could in our area improve their programs. That was the main reason behind creating this blog, as well as several resources I have put together. It has hit me that this position (though not something I would have chosen for myself) is exactly the opportunity I have been wanting. I cannot change programs, but I can put together a good commissioning staff and train them and send them out to help the units in our district. Even if it results in just tiny changes here and there, it will be a great thing.

Just like the climber in the story, I know I am not alone. I have been reminded from the beginning that I have the power of prayer. This may not be a church calling, but that does not mean I cannot ask for God's help and allow him to guide me. I also have a supportive husband, a DE who is a great mentor and encouraging friend, a friendly and helpful District Chair, and another friend who I can sound off to when I need.

It has also occurred to me many times in the last two months that Scouting is about doing hard things. That applies to the adults as well as the youth. In addition to making full use of my support system, I keep in mind what I think is the most important thing they taught us at Wood Badge: OMHIWDMB (On My Honor, I Will Do My Best.)

Handbook

Just by way of information, the Young Men General Presidency has decided to take down all links and references to the booklet, "Scouting in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." The booklet is outdated, and they would prefer that everyone refer instead to the latest edition of the Church's Scouting Handbook (a.k.a. the "Green Book"),which can be found on the Church website, downloaded from here, or located in the gospel library app under Other > Leadership > Guidebooks. (This information came through communication with the LDS-BSA Relations Office. They have asked that all links to the Scouting in the Church booklet have been removed. If you come across any on this website that I missed, please let me know.)

So, you're a new Den Leader... (Scoutmaster, Varsity Coach, etc.)

"Many have said that, 'Scouting is for the boy.' In reality, it is for the adult. Boy Scouts of America provides the training, programs, and resources necessary to help adults effectively prepare young men for today and their future." - Young Men General Presidency, May 2010 LDS-BSA Newsletter

I have probably posted that quote before. It is one that I really love, because I know from experience just how true it is. I was reflecting on my past and realized just how much I have grown and changed in the last ten years. I am sure much of that has to do with being a mom and wife - growth is essential in those positions - but I know that a good part of it also came through involvement in Scouting.

I believe that coming into a Scouting calling willingly, especially being open to training, learning from the boys and enjoying yourself, will make growth more easily attainable. You will become a better person, closer to the person God has in mind for you. Initially, I was not so willing, but I guess becoming more enthusiastic, as well and being more open to learning and growth, were some of the first ways Scouting helped me grow.

In fact, I would say I was compelled by our committee chair more than anything to go to training the first time. Since then, the more training I have taken, the more I like it, and the more helpful I have found it (in fact, as many have said before me, I learn even more when I am the one teaching the training course). Trainers' EDGE especially helped me with teaching and presenting skills I use outside of Scouting just as much as in it. Of course, I think I grew a lot attending Wood Badge, and while I have been working on my tickets. I definitely have seen that change in others who attended that same Wood Badge course, just as I have seen fellow den leaders change after attending Leader-Specific Training.

I cannot emphasize enough to new Scout leaders that the two best things you can do for yourself and for your scouts are to have a good attitude (or at least do your best to have a good attitude) and attend training. Then attend more training, roundtables, University of Scouting, etc. (And please don't think, "I was a scout; I know what I'm doing.")

Article Everyone Should Read

Have American Parents Got It All Backwards

Thoughts?

Book Cover v2.0 (duct tape!)

Ever since I found this post last year about doing a duct tape wallet as a Webelos Craftsman project, duct tape has been a favorite medium, especially when it comes to Cub Scout things. We have several rolls of colored and patterned duct tape now (we buy them whenever we see them on sale; we also found some at the dollar store), which came in handy when we made "recycle regatta" boats. It was also one of the best things I brought with me to Wood Badge (I should have brought the Ductigami book with me too).

Inspired by another project in Ductigami, here are instructions for making a book cover for a scout book. I used a Webelos book, because I think this would also make a good Craftsman project, as well as passing off the book cover requirement for either the Art pin or the Reading and Writing pin (you could even make coordinating bookmarks from duct tape; then they could pass it off for BOTH pins). I am sure Boy Scouts would enjoy the project just as much.

Creating a duct tape sheet is the basis of most duct tape projects. For my book cover, I used a measuring tape to measure around the whole cover (front back and spine) of the book, then added 6" (3" for each flap). For a larger book, you may want to add as much as 8". The height of the sheet is just a little taller than the book. For my Webelos book, this came out to 18"x8".

Cut several pieces of duct tape a little longer than your sheet needs to be (so you have some extra to trim off at the ends - my strips were 19"). Lay one of those strips face up on your surface (a clean cutting board is a good place). Lay another piece face-down, overlapping the first about halfway.:

Now carefully fold down the exposed half of the first piece. This gives you your top edge:

Pull up what you have so far and flip it over.

Add another piece, again this will be face-down and will overlap the facing-up exposed portion.

Continue to "grow" your piece in this way, by pulling up the piece and flipping, then adding a new piece, until your sheet is a little taller than your book. Fold over the last bit of sticky on the bottom to create a nice edge, just like you did on the top. Trim your sides down to size.

Now wrap your sheet around the book to see where the folds will be.

Remove the book, and fold pieces of tape over the ends of each flap, trimming as needed.

When all four corners are taped up, your cover is ready!

You can add a pocket - or more - for holding a Faith in God book, Duty to God book, pen, merit badge cards, whatever you think would be handy. All you need to do is create another sheet the size you want your pocket to be (mine was 4"x5"):

And tape it onto the book cover:

Celebrating! (Giveaway)

This giveaway is closed. Congratulations to Fishgutts!

I do not think I have ever done a giveaway on this blog before. When I realized this week that this blog is three years old, I thought it was about time, and a three-year anniversary is as good a reason as any. This blog has evolved over the last three years, I have learned some things, I have made some great friends, and I hope that we have helped some people.

I also try not to promote myself on this blog, but I am so excited about my new Wood Badge fabrics that I thought they would be just the thing to give away, so please forgive me for self-promoting this one time.

The winner of this giveaway will be able to choose one of these Wood Badge stuffed critters:



OR

A fat quarter (basic cotton) of one fabric from either my Wood Badge fabric collection or my Derby Cars collection



OR

A small decal (5") of your choice of Wood Badge critter.

Rules:

One entry per person. To enter, simply leave a comment before Friday, September 27th, noon (PDT).

I must have some way to contact you. If I do not know your e-mail address, and it is not in your profile, and you do not leave it in your comment, you will be disqualified.

Open to U.S. residents only.