University of Scouting: I Challenge You!

University of Scouting: I Challenge You!

-November 4, 2017

         Oh, My Goodness!  I can’t believe that an entire year has passed and it is time for another University of Scouting!  Eek!!  If you aren’t yet a leader in your son or daughter’s Pack, Troop, or Crew, then you probably have no clue what I’m even talking about, so let me explain.

       University of Scouting is an AMAZING training opportunity for all adult Scout leaders or even a youth in a leadership role.  There are SO many classes that you can choose to take, ranging from a beginning leader/Cub Scout parent to a Veteran Venture Crew Advisor... I know what you’re probably thinking-Why sit in boring classes on a perfectly good Saturday right? WRONG! This is THE place to be to help you take your Scouts on EPIC adventures, keep them engaged, provide them with a quality program, incorporate STEM, and make it FUN!

       This year, I am taking on a different role and helping to not only aid in picking and choosing classes for Cub leaders, but also have the privilege of helping to facilitate a class geared towards STEM and incorporating cool ideas and techniques, since it is ALREADY BUILT INTO the Cub Scout program!  (And if you didn’t know-NOW YOU KNOW!) 

So, for me, this is a BIG DEAL!  Our district has some of the BEST when it comes to role models, mentors, and servant leaders, so for ME to be asked to help…I was truly humbled. (plus, it’s a little hard to say no to my ticket counselor-more on that later)

       So, the day arrives.  I’m prepared, having finished my notes at 3:30am-when I needed to be there at 6:45am (ok, so I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep-like seriously kid in a candy store excited).  After check-in and signing up for an AMAZING class with an equally amazing instructor, having a mini Bobwhite Patrol reunion (Yyou guys), and saying “hi” to other amazing staff that I met during Woodbadge (S7-599-17), it was time for an opening and to break for class…but wait…this CAN’T BE EVERYONE THAT SIGNED UP?  So I looked around…pretty much the same people from years prior.  My heart sank.

       Why didn’t more people come?  Not a good date?  Maybe you guys feel that you have already taken the required courses for your position?  Ok, so whatever the reason you weren’t there, let me tell you some things that maybe you didn’t know, that might change your mind.

              -New classes are added or updated every year

-It’s FREE to attend (AND there’s coffee, fruit, and doughnuts-just saying)

-If you take the Dutch Oven Cooking or Cub Scout Iron Chef Classes, you are basically eating all class period! (winning)

-There are updates to the programs and other awards that maybe you didn’t know about!

-Meeting new people and signing up to take Woodbadge is ALWAYS a good idea! (You are NEVER too old to learn something new and this looked like a good spot to insert my shameless Woodbadge plug J)

So even if you have already taken EVERY class offered, why not share your wisdom, knowledge, advice, and ideas with others by facilitating a class or coming to help check-in those that registered?  Why not come for the Fellowship, mentoring, conversation, or a potential surprise reunion? Why not come for the doughnuts? (Doughnuts!)

I AM POSING A CHALLENGE for 2018-

I challenge ALL Leaders, Parents, Potential Leaders, & Youth in Leadership Roles!  I am calling on YOU to attend next year’s University of Scouting, in WHATEVER ROLE will help equip yourself or others with the tools necessary to deliver a quality program to our Scouts, in a time when they need it the most!

       EVERY SCOUT DESERVES A TRAINED LEADER, and YOU DESERVE THESE SKILLS!  So, jot down some ideas for what your need or would like to see, send me an email if you want and I will make sure that it gets to the right people, and COME TO UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING 2018! (Challenge Accepted??)

-˜City Scout Mom

-Email me & let me know what classes you took if you attended and what you thought!  What classes would you like to see offered and how you would like to help!  I Y Feedback!

STAY CONNECTED!  Do you have Facebook?-follow BRMC-University of Scouting 2017 to stay up to date for next year, as well asGreat Valley District—BRMCSearch @RKEValleyScouts to make your search SUPER easy  

-Appalachian Adventure at Alta Mons & Stuff

-Appalachian Adventure at Alta Mons & Stuff

         While at the Red Sox game & popcorn kickoff/Scout Night in August, I watched as two grown men jumped up onto picnic tables, dressed as pioneers.  My first thought was to keep walking past, but as these men started talking, I stopped.  I ruled out the possibility of alcohol, since we were at a Scout function, and was still wondering what would possess someone to act like that, when I suddenly got my answer…NO, they didn’t appear to have been struck by a foul ball either; FALL FAMILY CAMPING! (Yes, I’m serious)

These energetic, passionate, HILARIOUS, and completely sane Scout leaders were promoting a new twist on the Fall Family Camping event.

         Ok.  Starting to walk away again.  I get it-Scouts love camping and shooting sports, but for me personally, I don’t want to sit and watch my child only be interested in 6 hours of archery.  I listened and as they talked and joked, I couldn’t tear myself away.  This is different; full of energy and excitement, not scripted and doesn’t seem rehearsed.  What gives?  People around me weren’t walking away or making ugly faces or comments so I stood there and listened.  As they spoke of awards, apple butter, leatherworks, and a company store, this sounded COOL and I wanted to go!  Scouts would have the whole day STUFFED WITH FUN STUFF WITH CHANCES TO EARN STUFF, BUY STUFF, & MAKE STUFF TO HOLD STUFF!  I mean…Scouts like stuff…I like stuff…Parents like their kids doing stuff…and this sounded like some FUN STUFF!  And just like that I was onboard!

         This Appalachian Adventure delivered everything that was promised and then some!  Whoever handled the organizing stuff must have 10 children of their own because all the Scouts were grouped upon registering and given schedules with their rotations for the day-ON LANYARDS!  GENIUS!

They were told to collect “company scrip” for completing activities or for showing Scout spirit and promised a “company store” later in the afternoon to “spend” their scrip.  –So now these amazing people are “paying” them for doing cool stuff!  Um yes-wishing I could be a Cub Scout right about now.

Scout spirit was on overdrive and no expense was spared on the rewards for their efforts!  The looks on these boys faces as they emptied their leather satchels that they had MADE earlier, resembled lottery winners!  I’m watching boys turn in 20 pieces of scrip and choose hammocks, tent fans, solar lanterns, and we can’t forget the ever-popular poo emoji! 

         Bringing back cooking for yourselves helped give everyone a chance to wind down, work on requirements if they wanted, bond, and show off some skills as they had a friendly competition for the coveted Scout Spirit award!  With over 400 Scouts, the heat was on in more places than the Campfire, and with those numbers, it was OBVIOUS that all involved worked hard to plan, promote, and execute a true one-of-a-kind Fall Family experience! 

         This was an Adventure that I’m glad our Pack didn’t miss and one that will be hard to top!  I can’t wait to see what is happening in the Spring and maybe I need to see if they have any other epic ideas that we can use for recruiting J 

-What about you?  Did you go to the GV Appalachian Days?  What was your family’s fav activity?  I would LOVE to hear about it!  Email me and share your experience and don’t forget to include your Unit number and name or ANON if you prefer!

˜Star City Scout Mom

64 Colors melted in the Sun… She Emerged Wearing Halos & Horns.

64 Colors melted in the Sun… She Emerged Wearing Halos & Horns.

I believe in people. I give people chances, sometimes too many, because I refuse to give up on them, as so many have given up on me.

I am a Leo, full of life and energy and not at all needing glory and limelight for the things I do, despite what the horoscopes say. I have a yearning to travel and to lay on beaches while sipping fruity drinks with beautiful adornments of fruit and miniature umbrellas. I love shoes, Hello Kitty, Pokémon, Lularoe, Longaberger, office supplies, lavender scents, pedicures and OPI nail polish. As a single parent, my children are my life and I strive every day to lead by example and make them proud, teach them respect, self-love, confidence, empathy, and to live their Scout Oath and Law.

I live everyday as if it were my last so I choose to spread love and glitter wherever I go, in true kandi-kid fashion. I have rave flyers all over my walls, glow sticks in my purse, and pillows that speak of blow pops. My boys have been raging since they could walk!

My life is a composition of many songs and stars and I am always forming new symphonies and galaxies, while entranced in my drum and bass, jungle, house, and trance melodies-even if I am the only one who hears them.

I am wicked creative, love to sing, love teaching and inspiring children to believe in themselves and find their true potential. I cannot stand stupidity, for that means one has no desire or interest to learn, however, will continue through life complaining but never standing up to help, fix, or try to solve. I will ALWAYS stand up for what is right, regardless of how popular or unpopular that makes me. Many people need a voice, when theirs is not heard. I am loyal to the end. True friends are rare and I am honored and humbled to have those that I do.

I try to see beauty in all things, and live for adventures with my Scouts and children, while still searching for my heart song. My energy, while contagious, as well as my thirst for knowledge and zest for life, intimidates many because they truly do not understand how or why I do all that I do. The answer to that can be felt in the reflection of 8 eyes that belong to 4 boys who call me mom. I am their only defender, protector, advocate, and constant in their lives. For me, walking away was never an option, and I am the only one that stayed.

I am a servant leader, a mentor, guide, motivator, believer, friend, mother, daughter, aunt, and badass army of 1 to 3 boys with invisible ABILITIES.

Those I am loyal too, are my friends for life and I will be there for them anytime day or night with NO questions asked. Those that underestimated me, lied to me, used me, or stole from my children, now realize why they shouldn't have. Intelligence is dangerous, however I use my powers for good. 😋

"She had stars behind each eyelid, and a galaxy in her soul, that drew people to her endless heart, like the pull of a black hole.

She was made of Earth and fire, of wishes cast on shooting stars. She was a brand new solar system unlike the ones they'd known so far. With constellations ever changing, no one could memorize her skies. They thought the thing for them to do was bring her to their size. They shrunk the universe within her, told her her vast expanse was wrong. THAT she should make her life much smaller if she wanted to belong.

As they collapsed her world around her. she felt her inner stars grow cold. until her life was far too heavy for her once strong arms to hold.

Ready to give up, lost and couldn't find her way, a group of friendly Cub Scouts, invited her to stay. After planning popcorn parties and getting pies in the face, after hugs and constant laughter, after the pinewood derby race, her light began to flicker, she had a smile upon her face. She felt she had a purpose and it was enough to motivate.

Even though her circumstances weren’t ideal or what she had dreamed of as a child, rather than focusing on the past or running away to hide, she went to work creating, planning and reading books. She went back to school again, despite her mother’s disapproving looks. This time to engineering, to education and to STEM. She taught the Scouts science, technology, physics, and math, they realized it could be fun and they might take a different path.

She taught about Rube Goldberg, conducted experiments with oil, calculated the density of Minecraft, assuming it's a spiracle world. She brought the boys to a radio station, where they were put on air, and conducted experiments to get oil, out of course animal hair. They learned about chemical reactions, built a desktop computer for free, studied at the pinball museum, and wrote their names in binary.

After many awards and medals, these boys were still working hard. Finally, they were awarded their rank and names on little cards. As she stood in front of parents, the Cub master, and Scouts, she remembered how lost she was before, as she recalled all her past doubts. She stares into the audience and sees all the pride radiate, and realizes that they fixed what she had been missing, gave her purpose on her plate.

She didn't need to make her life smaller or try so hard to belong. Her vast expanse and constellations, ever changing, was never wrong. Her energy and fire, planets and shooting stars, created a new solar system unlike any known before. The planets from before and The prior solar system, were just envious and jealous and wished they understood her vision. The planets here were brighter, the stars shown white and blue, they value her opinions and ask her thoughts and views.

Each year she looks back on how these boys made her life complete. Helped to make her feel loved when she had accepted defeat. How these boys taught her how to love herself, helped form a vision and a view and Made her realize what she truly wanted to do.

As the boys grow older and advance through Cub Scout ranks, constantly she reflects how how much they have learned and how they've grown, and smiles because it is because of them that she no longer feels alone. " –Jannette Hunt, June 27, 2017