Troop 111

The Scoutmaster Minute

Volume 1 | Issue 4 | Sarah Lindegren

From the Scoutmaster

A SCOUT IS…..HELPFUL.

One of the coolest things about Troop 111 is the youth’s ability and desire to take ownership of their troop. This program isn’t for us adults. It’s theirs and I love it when they want to take the leadership reins and steer the wagon themselves.

What this means is that sometimes, things don’t get planned in our timeline or how we’d always like them done. It makes us adults UNCOMFORTABLE! But what that means is that we’re learning alongside them about being comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s our job as adult leaders to be helpful and encouraging, to allow the youth to sometimes make mistakes, and foster an environment where learning happens from those mistakes.

This August, I’d like to challenge all of us – youth and adults – to remember we’re here for each other, to be helpful and to be proud of who we are. We are 111.

Safety Moment

Our safety moment this month focuses on a popular Troop 111 pastime – hammock camping. In Troop 111, Scouts who have achieved First Class rank have the privilege to use a hammock on campouts instead of a tent. It’s important to remember that safety is a top priority. Let’s delve into some essential tips to ensure safe hammock camping experiences.

Hammock Safety Points:

  1. Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions: Each hammock has specific guidelines for hanging distances between solid supports like trees. Always adhere to these instructions to ensure safe setup.
  2. Secure Hanging Locations: Only hang hammocks to secure and immovable objects like trees or solid posts. Avoid attaching hammocks to objects that might move, such as vehicle bumpers.
  3. Check Knots and Fastenings: Before entering a hammock, double-check all knots and fastenings. Ensuring a secure setup is crucial for your safety.
  4. Avoid Stacking Hammocks: Never stack hammocks on top of each other. It compromises their stability and increases the risk of accidents.
  5. Height Considerations: Hang hammocks no higher than 3 feet above the ground to prevent severe falls and injuries.
  6. No Swinging or Standing: Never swing or stand in a hammock. Falls from hammocks can lead to serious injuries, so use them only for their intended purpose.
  7. Inspect Ropes: Check hammock ropes for fraying or damage before use. Replace with manufacturer-approved replacement ropes if needed.
  8. Weight Limit: Don’t exceed the weight limit specified by the manufacturer. Overloading the hammock compromises its safety.
  9. Protect Trees: If using living trees, take care not to damage the bark. Some hammock-tents have wide bands to distribute stress, minimizing harm to trees.

Remember, hammock camping can be a fun experience when done safely and is a privilege in Troop 111 for a Scout who has demonstrated they can follow the above guidelines. By following these guidelines, you’re ensuring the safety of yourself and those around you.

Troop 111 Who’s Who?

This month’s spotlight: The Committee Chair

Few leadership positions in the operation of a Troop are more important than the Committee Chair. The troop committee chair is appointed by the chartered organization to see that all committee functions are carried out. The troop committee chair appoints and supervises the unit committee and unit leaders, and organizes the committee to see that all committee responsibilities are delegated, coordinated and completed. Troop 111 is blessed to have one of the finest in Mr. Hoeing.

Here are his responsibilities:

  • Organizes the committee
  • Maintains a close relationship with the chartered organization representative and the Scoutmaster
  • Interprets national and local policies to the troop
  • Calls, presides over, and promotes attendance at monthly troop committee meetings and any special meetings that may be called
  • Arranges for charter review and recharter annually
  • Ensures the healthy operation of our Troop.

It’s a big job! Mr. Hoeing isn’t just a Committee Chair either. He acts as a merit badge counselor for multiple merit badges and you might even be lucky enough to see him in his role as Lord Robert Baden Powell. Next time you see him, make sure to say THANKS!

Merit Badge Mayhem…and How to Avoid It

Summer camp is over and now everything goes back to the “normal” way of starting and completing merit badges. With several opportunities for Merit Badge University coming up, I thought this would be a good time to review the merit badge process a Scout must go through, from start to finish. Here’s the process in a few easy steps:

STEP 1: The Scout chooses a Merit Badge. A full list of merit badges with updated requirements.

STEP 2: The Scout talks to the Scoutmaster. The Scout talks to the Scoutmaster (or sends an email) to formally open the merit badge. The Scoutmaster will open the merit badge in Scoutbook and recommend a merit badge counselor for the Scout to work with.

STEP 3: The Scout contacts the merit badge counselor. It is the Scout’s responsibility to contact the merit badge counselor and discuss whether they are willing to be their counselor and what must be done to complete the merit badge.

STEP 4: The Scout completes the merit badge. Scouts can find many resources online to help them complete merit badges. By using the link in Step 1, all requirements and merit badge books can be downloaded and reviewed to help with completion. Again, it is the Scout’s responsibility to do the work to complete requirements in their entirety. ONLY the merit badge counselor can sign off/approve requirements completed by the Scout.

Merit badge counselors sign off on requirements by either a) signing off the requirement directly in Scoutbook or signing a physical blue card. If the merit badge counselor prefers to use a blue card, the Scout can make that request to the Troop’s Advancement Coordinator, who will provide one for their use.

STEP 5: The Scout gets the badge. When all requirements have been completed and the merit badge counselor has approved completion, the merit badge will be approved by the Scoutmaster in Scoutbook (or signed off on a blue card and entered into Scoutbook). The Scout will receive a merit badge certificate and patch at the Troop’s next Court of Honor. Courts of Honor occur on a quarterly basis in March, June, September, and December.

AD

Plan Ahead and Prepare…

Merit Badges are fun for Scouts and are a great way for them to explore many different topics in different environments. Many are the Scout who have discovered a life-long love because they had a great merit badge experience!

Some merit badges, however, require Scouts to do some time management planning and can be difficult to complete without a little planning ahead. Merit badges like Personal Fitness, Citizenship in the Community, Family Life and Personal Management all have a requirement that takes at least 90 days to complete. This is your friendly reminder to get an early start on these merit badges. Don’t wait! Your future Life Scout self will be glad you did.

August Events

  • 4 August: Troop Patrol Leader’s Council
  • 12 August: Troop Meeting and Shakedown
  • 15-17 August: Beach Campout at Holliday Lake State Park

Coming Soon…

Apple Harvest is our campout in the month of October and this year’s theme is Halloween! This event requires a little bit more advance planning and preparation, so be on the lookout for permission slips and money requests to be due earlier than most events.

A Final Word…

Some of us are probably old enough to remember Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood on PBS television when we were young. Even now, when tragedy happens in the world, Mr. Rogers i s often quoted reminding us to “Look for the helpers. You will
always find people who are helping.” If you receive the monthly Scout Life magazine , you’ll notice a section called “Scouts in Action” where it showcases Scouts who have gone above and beyond themselves to be that helper. Robert Baden Powell said the reason helpful was part of the Scout Law was because it taught Scouts to forget their own self-interest. To be more focused on their community and the world a round them than themselves. To be better servant leaders. They stand up to the bully and show up for the littl e guy . They jump into a boa rd game when no one else wants to play. They care for and bandage up a friend who’s injured. Our Scouts? They’re the helpers!