We met at the Lodge on Friday night and trekked to our site…no, not outside. The scouts don’t think that they are equipped well enough, and a couple of them would like to take OKPIK before trying in out on the troop. I respect their decisions, so I was fine with staying indoors.

We drove to Camp Rokilio…the council’s Cub Scout Camp. Yea, back to where almost all of these guys started. We didn’t stay in one of the theme buildings, but instead, we stayed in one of the 3 room lodges. One center room, 2 bedrooms, a kitchen and a water closet. Not really roughing it, but the accommodations are not the point. We arrived to camp later, around 8 pm…about enough time to get set up, squared away and have a bit of cracker barrel. With our tummies full, the scouts went off to bed, and played the goof-off game for awhile. I poked my head in the room and recommended that they get some shut-eye, as we would have a busy day the next day.

We rose the next morning, and each patrol’s Grubmaster prepared breakfast and everyone ate. They got squared away and assembled in the commons. I pulled out our new Brunton Orienteering Education set. I went through the nomenclatures and handed out the compasses. We then went outside, out on the lake and practice pace counts and “Red in the Shed”…they did wonderful and were really into it when they realized that they made a square…not individually, but as a team.

The rest of the day was filled with designing their ideal patrol site and sledding. One scout wanted to earn his 2nd class, so we went out to the fire pit and he struggled to build the fire…yes, he didn’t need to light it, but even if he would have had to, it would have never lit. So with the help of the Scoutmaster, the SPL guided the scout to building a fire. We tried to light it later, but things weren’t going our way, and we decided cracker barrel and cocoa were better options.

The scouts played some games, but for the most part, they were ready for the sack…lights out and all sleeping by 9:30, with the adults soon behind.

I awoke first on Sunday morning. I decided to clean up all the food, and get breakfast ready for the scouts before we departed. Fruit, cereal, bagels and milk was placed out…the adult patrol, decided on Mountain Man. As I got the food out, one of the dads came in and asked why I was getting the boys’ breakfast…

“Well, it’s kind of my penance for what I am about to do…” and I started to hum Zippity-Do-Dah…

Let’s just say that the more experienced scouts knew what was going on, so they were awake…the rest of them got waken up to a rousing chorus of the song, along with what they must have thought was an earthquake, as their beds were shaken ever so gently.

Welcome to 1363, newbies…you are now “my boys”…

From Wikipedia

In its original sense, discipline is referred to systematic instruction given to disciples to train them as students in a craft or trade, or to follow a particular code of conduct or “order”. Often, the phrase “to discipline” carries a negative connotation. This is because enforcement of order – that is, ensuring instructions are carried out – is often regulated through punishment. Discipline is also believed to be one of the main pillars of our modern life, according to many different religious beliefs.

I had mentioned it before and have been talking about it with my other leaders. The reason that we have been talking about discipline in the troop was based on one of my last posts, the one with the decision of the scouts to go elsewhere. I was told that one boy went to the other troop because I have too much discipline in our troop…that’s not the case.

There are a set of rules, put in place by the PLC, that the scouts are expected to follow. Most of the rules are based on the Scout Oath and Scout Law. If you follow those, then there really is no reason to have any other kind of rules. Now, our troop has a couple of guidelines when it comes to behaviors, but nothing set in stone. Each case is going to present itself in a different manner, so each case will have a different outcome.

When I was told that we have too much discipline, at first, I took that to heart. No, we don’t…we don’t punish anyone or make anyone do something over and over again until they get it right. Then I realized the were may be too disciplined…in the true sense of the word.

Our scouts expect more from each other than their counterparts. They laid out the expectations, and they are the ones that want everyone to do the right thing. Some scouts are used to running around, goofing off, and doing whatever they feel like, and wait for one of the adults to step in and “ruin their fun”.

Our scout’s self-discipline has led to a higher quality program, and the scouts in the troop now, don’t expect any less, and I don’t think that they will allow that quality to get any lower. Through their high expectations and strong self-discipline, they have matured and learned many things that I wouldn’t expect boys of that age to do.

I am happy that we have too much discipline, it keeps the boy’s eye’s on the prize, and keeps me in my easy chair with a cup of coffee. Sure it sounds lazy, but why do for a boy when he can do for himself?

I can’t hardly tie my shoes anymore…

I get winded going up steps, even more so carrying something…

I tire of my clothes not fitting good…

These were all the reasons that I started to get in shape earlier this year. The outcome?

I lost almost 40 pounds

I was able to do things that I hadn’t been able to do, like complete the BSA Swimmer’s Test at camp.

I stopped snoring, leading to a better night’s sleep.

I had more energy to do the things that I wanted to do, and with that, did more. I couldn’t just sit on the couch or at the computer anymore; I had to get out and “DO”…

Then came summer…I figured that since I was always on the move, that I was doing fine with not riding my bike, walking or using the Wii Fit anymore. I was active, and that’s what mattered. With being on the move so much, food choices got a little more off for me. A soda here, a burger there, wasn’t going to hurt anything. I was being active, so I would burn it off. Besides, a Coke is better than a Diet Coke, because it’s only sugar and not as many chemicals. The burger? Well, I need to power the Scoutmaster Shawn Machine, so I need the protein from the meat, and the grains from the buns. The fries provided me with the starches that I need for the short boosts that I needed.

Off to camp…on the go, busy, busy, busy…lot’s of walking, so I better fuel up to make sure that I didn’t BONK…pass on the salad bar, gimme noodles and gravy and mystery meat. Gimme Dutch Oven cooking and campfire recipes. I’m workin’ here! Remember? Fuel for the SMSM (Scoutmaster Shawn Machine)!?!?

Then to Woodbadge, then recruiting, more Woodbadge, then the Booyah/Burger sale at the Lodge, meeting after meeting…thing after thing, and it seemed no time to exercise or eat properly. I quickly fell back into my old ways.

Before I knew it, Thanksgiving was here, all my faves were there. Christmas cookies were next (thanks to Great Grandma Bessie’s awesome cookie recipe), pies, treats and all-around num-nums…and still, no moving.

Where am I at today? I dunno…afraid to step on the scale, but I know that it ain’t pretty. My pants are tighter, I don’t sleep well and all I want to do is nap.

So, it’s time. A couple of reasons why…

I don’t want to buy new clothes, I liked it when my other ones fit

I want to get a better night’s sleep and not snore anymore

I don’t want to get winded anymore

I want to be able to keep up with my family and my scouts

I pay for a gym membership…does it make sense to buy LARGER clothes and still have the membership?

So, based on the posts today from Jeff and Bryan, I am getting back on the horse, and I encourage you, Scout Nation, to do so, too.

A while ago, we had the SNFC, Scout Nation Fit Club…it went well for a bit, but then fizzled out like a wet fuse on a bottle rocket. I have all kinds of prizes at home, just waiting to be won.

Once Bryan comes home, we are going to get together and really kick it off, the new and improved SNFC. I don’t want the members of Scout Nation to do it for the prizes, do it for the reasons that Scouter Jeff did…losing 130 pounds and now rock-climbing. Do it like Tico did, so that he could go to Jambo 2013.

I have a ticket item to complete, Skinny Scoutmaster…starting today, right now, it all changes.

Gone are the sodas…now it’s water

No more red meat…chicken or turkey

No more sugar…it’s just not a good thing

Get my a$$ to the gym…yea, it’s paid for, it’s there, and I need to get there and use it

Get off the couch…if I get moving, I will get more fit. More fit=less snoring=better sleep…simple equation

So, diet and exercise…that worked the last time, and I am going to do it again, but this time, really stick with it. I am inviting Scout Nation to come along, earn some prizes and get in shape…

Are you up to it, Scout Nation?

I will say that work has been pretty stressful…an ongoing project with looming deadlines that don’t look like are going to be met, is something that is hanging over all of our heads. We have all heard of missing deadlines, and not getting the work done will be catastrophic. In my case, it will be. If this project doesn’t launch on Valentine’s Day, our whole IT department could be let go and contractors brought in. That’s pretty stressful.

On the more positive side, the troop is clicking along…I know that I posted some negative things from last week and my disappointment into the low crossover numbers that I will be having. I was really hoping that I would be closer to 16-17 scouts, but as it turns out, I have only recruited 4 Webelos and got one new boy to join. Not the numbers that I was looking for, but as one commented, it’s quality, not quantity…and no, this isn’t a dig on Bryan Spellman.

Speaking of quality, I ran through the JTE last night…come to find out, we are GOLD. Yea, pretty excited about that, but after plugging the numbers, I really didn’t realize how well were doing with the Guidelines that the BSA set forth. Does this mean that we have hit the pinnacle and there isn’t anywhere else to go? Nope, it’s a gauge on how we are doing…in other words, what are we, members of Troop 1363, doing to make our unit the best that it can be. As for now, we are doing things pretty spot on.

On with the thanks

Thanks to my wife for being there when I am grumpy, even when she is dealing with her own demons

Thanks to my scouts, who have come a long way since we started the troop, and who keep coming with ideas on their own to make the troop better

Thanks to the leaders in my troop, who have drank the Kool-Aid are helping me achieve the goals of a boy-led program

Thanks to my scouting friends, both online and in-person (if that’s correct…I mean, everyone is in-person, aren’t they?)

There are many more thanks that I have, this just touches the surface of them.

I know that it’s late, but I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year.

I got the “hang in there” comments and what not, and I do appreciate them. More times than not, I am just venting…I know that there isn’t anything that I can do about it, but at the end of the day, I sure am glad to know that I have a good group of scouters out there who give me a boost when I am down.

Back to the other side of the coin…I talked it over with my wife and Sam, and we decided that Sam is ready to move onto the troop. He is 1.) 11 years old and 2.) he has met all the requirements for the Arrow of Light. He hasn’t been awarded it yet, nor has his Den Leader put in the paperwork, but he is ready.

I took him to a dinner on Wednesday night that the troop was invited to, at the Elks’ Lodge. He put on his new troop t-shirt, necker, woggle and hat. He didn’t want to put on his scout pants, but I told him that we are a fully uniformed troop, and we all wear scout pants if you have a pair that fit. He put them on and away we went. The rest of the troop was there, and we enjoyed a nice ham dinner, complete with mashed potatoes, veggies, and rolls.

At the conclusion of the dinner, the Elk’s Lodge presented us with a grant for $200. Now, remember, we charter with the Moose Lodge, meet at the Moose Lodge and do our fundraisers through the Moose Lodge. We have  great relationship with them, sans a couple scheduling faux pas. The money was a thank you for our troop helping them with this past summer’s Flag Day ceremony.

Also in attendance were some girls from Marion House, a place for teenage mothers to get assistance with a place to live, care for their children and mentoring to help guide them. The Elk’s gave them $1550 to help out with things.

After they got their check, I looked at Tyler and said, “Who do you think needs the money more? Us or Marion house?”

“They need it more than we do” he said, without skipping a beat.

“That’s what I think too, pass it down to the rest of the guys that that is what we are going to do.”

I turned to the CC and the other adults and said that we were going to donate our donation. They all agreed, and so we took the check back up to the front and re-gifted our gift.

Tyler isn’t much for words, so I did the speaking. I stated that we have been blessed with a great organization, great parents, great fundraisers and most of all, great scouts. Those kids at Marion house need the money for food and diapers, more than we need new troop t-shirts.

There really isn’t anything more to the story, other than some sweaty eyes…that night made the previous night, albeit a dark night, seem like a distant memory.

At last night’s den meeting, the boys made their decisions…4 of 6 were going to another troop. One of them was no surprise. The boy lacks discipline into controlling his behavior and his parents let him do what he wants. Our troop has self-discipline and likes to camp a lot…2 things this boy doesn’t like, and figures that he won’t have to do either at the troop that he goes to.

The other 3 were a surprise, to say the least. One of them really needs scouting, and I don’t think that he is going to get the guidance and support that he needs from the other troop. He is a financial hardship case, and he doesn’t do anything to change that…doesn’t participate in fundraisers and low attendance. I hope that it turns around for him, but once again, not holding my breath.

The other 2, well, I will say that I was very surprised and disappointed. One is the den leader’s son, a boy who has professed to me his desire to be in our troop, as we do the things that he wants to do. I know that he would be a perfect fit with the rest of the scouts, and would be a great asset to 1363. The 4th boy…hmmm, he just wanted to go where one of his friend’s went.

I usually have a faith in things, almost a blind faith. I don’t think that these 4 boys are making a good decision. The troop they are choosing to go to doesn’t have their best interest in mind. They talk “boy-led” but don’t follow it. They dodge the simple questions when asked…

“How much are dues?”

“Who owns the equipment?”

“What do you do for fundraisers and does that go into Scout accounts? If so, how much?”

“How many times a year do you have PLCs? Courts of Honor?”

“Do you work on Merit Badges in troop meetings? Who plans the meetings?”

I went on the visit to this troop with my son, and none of these questions got answered, or some didn’t even get asked. I didn’t feel that it was my place to ask the questions, as I was not sending my son to that troop…we went to that meeting in support of the rest of his den. It may have be construed that I was spying on the enemy, but I have all the scout’s best interest in mind.

So, I broke the news to Sam on the ride home. Sam had been playing with the other scouts, so he was very happy. Once I told him about his den mates going elsewhere, he leaned his head on the window and started to sob a little bit…

“Those are my best friends…” he said

I didn’t know what to say or how to handle it, so the rest of the ride was very quiet, other than the sound of my heart aching for my son. We got home, and I talked to Sonia about it. She said that he will be fine, give it some time. As he lay in bed, I walked in and asked if he wanted to join his friends at the other troop.

“No, I am going to stay with you. Daniel needs me, too.”

With that said, I kissed him and said…

“Well, maybe it’s time to start a new adventure in scouting with some new friends…you will be with me and your brother, and a couple other guys that you don’t know yet. Hang in there.”

I went to bed, still upset. I woke up this morning and decided that I am getting quality, not quantity. My program will survive. The scouts in the troop have come a long way since it’s inception. They are a boy-led troop, they are disciplined…they are what BP envisioned…they are what I envisioned. I just needed a bit more perspective to realize that we are there, now…

CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE

I have been a part of Pack 4363 for the last 6 years, and getting another scout from another unit was something that I wanted. With the addition of this scout, it’s a confirmed 2 for crossover, but the number will actually be more than that.

Sometime ago, the scouts in the troop told me that they wanted to have more scouts in the troop…I asked them why?

I think that they knew the answer, but instead of spelling it out, they just shrugged their shoulders and said “I dunno…” in that typical pre-teen voice. I took it with a grain of salt, knowing that they have always come through in the crunch. I will imagine that there will be some more growing pains, but in the long run, they will do fine.

One thing that does concern me is the faith that the parents will have in the scouts. I have the faith in them that they can do it with guidance, mentoring and a bit of nudging…

At the end of this month, I will only be a Scoutmaster for Troop 1363. It may be short-lived, but nonetheless, I will no longer be an Assistant Cubmaster for Pack 4363.

Yesterday, while I was at Cub Scout College, I got to see some old friends and catch up on things. One of the questions was “what are you up to now?”

About 5′ 10″ I would reply…

But in all seriousness, I told a lot of them that this would be my last CSC, as I was going to be focusing more on my troop, and that’s all. I have been going 100 miles per hour with one foot on the brake, and one on the gas and rarely using the brake. The last couple of months have been so busy that I have lost sight of a lot of different things that are more important in my life. Family….family comes first and I had been letting them down.

So with that, I am moving on to just being Scoutmaster Shawn.