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The Impact of Camp – Part 5

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BSA Scouts Elijah and Dominic lead a group of Cub Scouts during Week 1 of McGimsey’s Day Camp

I’ve written a few stories this week about what I observed with members of my unit while at Day Camp, but I wouldn’t be giving a complete picture of the week without mentioning the Youth Staff and volunteers who make camp an enjoyable experience for the kids.

The Cub Scouts at Day Camp are divided into smaller groups who travel throughout the camp stations during the day. Den Walkers are Scouts themselves – active in Scouts BSA – who ensure the Cub’s safety and aid them at each station. It’s a big job. The Cubs are constantly going to the restroom or leaving their items behind, and the Den Walkers not only make sure the kids are all accounted for but keep them healthy and hydrated in the Texas heat. They tie shoes, hold tape, act as referees during games, pass out lunches, put names on water cups, encourage, coach, and praise a group of kids they’ve never met…for an entire week.

I’ve heard that Scouts BSA builds character and leaders, and at Day Camp I saw one way Scouting creates an opportunity for it.

Dominic, who is working toward his Eagle, not only provided leadership to our Cub Scouts and their parents who came with them, but he mentored Elijah, his assistant for the week. Together they identified potential issues, solved problems, and worked in tandem to make the experience enjoyable for everyone in our group. Even I, a 44-year old mother of two, looked to the two of them for guidance. Dominic delegated tasks to Elijah and provided him gentle instruction when needed. Elijah reported back to Dominic and offered suggestions when appropriate. Together they involved parents to help make things run smoothly throughout the week, and it worked beautifully.

For the kids in my Pack, Day Camp is a chance at trying new things, but Day Camp also offers an opportunity for our teens to develop their own leadership skills. For the record, the Webelos in my den took notice of their future in Scouting. My daughter is already asking when she can be an assistant and has big plans to be a lifeguard at the pool as soon as she’s old enough to be certified. That’s quite the compliment when you’ve made such an impact on a younger Scout, that they can’t wait to follow in your footsteps!

 

Do you have a story to share about your Scout’s experience at Camp? Tell Jenn, the Council Publicist at Jennifer.Arntson@AlamoAreaBSA.org.

An Updated Plan for Unit Success – A Must Read for Unit Leaders

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Baden Powell Unit Recognition – 2021

Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council’s performance recognition program for units is named after Scouting’s founder, Robert Baden-Powell. Baden-Powell’s spirit is alive and well in our local community. The heart of this Baden Powell recognition is to make better units. Ultimately, better units mean better programs for our youth. This recognition will continue to work to serve your unit!

As national continues to serve the local council, we want to make sure that we continue to recognize our units and the hard work they put in each year. The Journey to Excellence (JTE) has been a great resource to encourage excellence and continuous improvement in providing a quality program at all levels of the BSA. As a council, we have made the decision to discontinue our use of the JTE program. Your unit can continue using the JTE Scorecard to measure your unit quality, but it will be for unit utilization only and will not be submitted to the council.

Our team has brought the Journey to Excellence scorecard and the Baden Powell Unit Recognition 10 achievements together in one concise and clear scorecard called the Baden Powell Unit Excellence Award. It will focus on the three main areas which are Service, Adventure, and Fundraiser. You will go through each line item to discover which tier you are in to know the points to award. Add the points to see if you reached the 500 points needed to achieve the Baden Powell Award. Once it is completed, turn into the Scout Service Center or Outdoor Department. All submissions need to be turned in by or before January 31st to be eligible.

This is our first year pioneering this NEW Baden Powell Unit Excellence Award. We will continue to update as needed and will keep you informed. Keep on Scouting and having Great Adventures!

Download the Scorecard HERE

2020 Recognition and BP Status Benefits

Baden Powell units will receive the following recognition and benefits:

  • Adventure Guide magazine announcement
  • Council website and newsletter shout out
  • FREE Baden Powell unit recognition streamer
  • Facility Rental Voucher for FREE Unit Weekend Campout in 2022 (SUBJECT TO COVID19 RESTRICTIONS) at an Alamo Area Council Property*
  • 5% Discounted pricing to all Alamo Area Council camping events

Submission for 2021 can be online or in-person, and you can email it to Adventure@alamoareabsa.org
*FREE Rental for unit weekend camping coordinated through the Outdoor Adventures Team based on facility availability at Bear Creek Scout Reservation, McGimsey Scout Park, and Mays Family Scout Ranch. Email Rentals@AlamoAreaBSA.org or visit www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/BadenPowell for more information. Includes campsite rental only.

Resources to Aid Unit Success

As a 2021 Baden Powell unit, we use these methods of Scouting as shown by:

 

Masks Optional At Camp This Summer

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There have been a ton of recommendations over the last 18-months, and if you’re like me, all the changes can give you a bit of mental whiplash. So here I am, to break down in simple terms, the prevailing question amongst our SATX Scouting community:

Masks are NOT required to be worn at ANY of the Alamo Area Summer Camps as long as you’re outside.

Does that mean campers shouldn’t bring masks with them? Well, if I’ve learned anything after a year of a pandemic and a Texas snowstorm, it’s to Be Prepared. I mean, it’s our motto, is it not? I still plan on carrying masks with me because there will be times when my Scout and I will need them: namely when being indoors. One of the great experiences of camp is shopping at the Trading Post, and because it’s inside and social distancing is a bit harder to ensure, visitors will need a mask to enter.

It’s important to know that while the Alamo Area Council encourages wearing a mask in groups if you’re not yet vaccinated, the choice to wear one is yours. If you feel more comfortable wearing one outside while at camp, please do so. If you choose not to, remember that to enter one of the buildings, wearing one is required. It’s easy enough to tuck in in a pocket, backpack, or loop it around your wrist when you or your Scout is Adventuring outside.

I’m officially terming this summer The Summer of Smiles, because camp is awesome, and I’ve never been more ready to get out of my house! Won’t you join me?

For the most updated CDC Guidelines as recommended by the Alamo Area Council’s Medical Advisory Committee, CLICK HERE.

Ready to register for BSA Summer Camp at Bear Creek or Cub Scout Day Camp? There’s still space for you!

BSA MEMBERSHIP FEE INCREASE DETAILS AND FAQ

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As per the membership plan established in 2019, the National office will be updating its fee structure for the 2021-2022 program year. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) continues to keep the membership fee as low as possible. The increase, less than a dollar per month, covers the rising operating costs necessary to properly maintain the program.

To fulfill the promise of Scouting, the updated national membership fee is:

  • $72 for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts participants
  • $45 for Exploring participants
  • $30 for council-paid memberships
  • $45 for all adult volunteers (includes cost of background check)
  • $75 for a unit charter fee

The membership fees will take effect August 1, 2021, for the 2021-2022 program year.

The one-time $25 joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts is still required; however, there is no joining fee for Exploring participants, participants previously registered in any BSA program, those transferring from one program to another, council-paid memberships, or adult volunteers.

See an infographic explaining these updates. 

The national membership fee helps pay for the cost of essential services, including program resources, liability insurance for those participating in approved Scouting activities, youth protection, and various National resources made available for councils. National BSA will also continue to develop and improve resources that support our volunteers and youth members through online registration, Scoutbook, and national initiatives that bring us all together. Across the country and in each of our communities, we know that Scouting remains one of the most valuable investments we can make in young men and women today so they can become the leaders we will turn to tomorrow. Our dedicated volunteers, staff, and Scouting families make this possible. Thank you for continuing to support one of the most valuable opportunities available to young people today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:        How much of the National Fee stays with the Alamo Area Council?

A:         None of it – 100% of the money your unit turns in for new members and recharter goes directly to the National office. In fact, though the National office allows it, the Alamo Area Council has never chosen to add on its own fees in addition to the National ones. Our staff and outstanding teams of volunteers raise necessary funds through the generous contributions of our community via donations, grants, and fundraising all year long. It is their efforts and yours – through selling Popocorn, campcards, and your unit’s participation in Give The Adventure campaigns – that make Scouting the most affordable youth activity in our area.

Q:        Why are the fees increasing?

A:         The national annual membership fee is increasing by $6, about 50 cents per month because the costs associated with Scouting, including the cost of liability insurance, continue to increase and the organization is not able to subsidize the increased costs as it had in the past.

Q:        When will this increase take effect?

A:         The updated membership fees will take effect August 1, 2021, for new members in the 2021-2022 program year.

Q:        Is Scouting still a good value?

A:         Absolutely! While most extracurricular activities are seasonal, Scouting is a year-round program that remains one of the most valuable investments we can make to support young men and women today so they can become the leaders we will turn to tomorrow. For most of our participants, the new national membership fee amounts to $6.00 a month, which is an enormous value when you consider that many seasonal extracurricular activities often start at $100 for programs that last a few weeks.

Q:        Does the fee increase apply to the council-paid memberships of the Scoutreach program?

A:        Council-paid memberships will not change for youth members of Scoutreach, the in-school and after-school programs designed for low-income communities.

 

 

Excerpts are taken from an article published June 4, 2021 by Scoutingwire.org.

Five Things Young People Can Do After Becoming Eagle Scouts

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Venturers enjoy a bicycling trip in 2017. (Photo by Walter P. Calahan/BSA)

 

After an Eagle Scout court of honor, with all the air-fives exchanged and all the red, white and blue cupcakes reduced to crumbs, it might feel like the end of a young person’s character-building journey.

But for many newly minted Eagle Scouts, their Scouting adventure is just beginning.

Eagle Scouts have a number of ways to continue their Scouting journey after receiving the highest rank in Scouts BSA. And many Eagle Scouts, myself included, find their post-Eagle experience in Scouting to be even more enjoyable than the journey to Eagle.

Eagle Scouts can continue earning merit badges and go for Eagle Palms. They can take on advanced leadership positions, using their hard-earned wisdom to help guide younger Scouts. They can plan longer, more-challenging outdoor adventures. They can join older-youth programs like Venturing or Sea Scouting.

Whether the new Eagle Scout just turned 15 or is 15 days shy of turning 18, the opportunities are limitless. And with the experiences and wisdom they’ve gained while becoming Eagle Scouts, their potential is limitless, too.

Let’s look at five ways that new Eagle Scouts can stay involved after becoming Eagles. If you have more ideas, please share them in the comments section below.

Please note that many of the things on this list can be enjoyed by any older youth — not just Eagle Scouts. I’ve framed it this way because I know there are many Eagle Scouts looking for that post-Eagle spark to keep them motivated and involved.

An Eagle Scout teaches younger campers at Camp Raymond in Arizona. (Pre-pandemic photo by W. Garth Dowling/BSA)

1. Stay in the troop to be a role model.

When you look at the Scouts BSA rank badges, one stands out. The first six — Scout through Life — show the rank’s symbol on a plain tan background.

But then there’s the Eagle badge, with its bold combination of red, white, silver and blue. When sewn on the left pocket of a uniform, it really pops.

That’s no coincidence. Scouts who wear the Eagle badge should stand out, whether in uniform or not. They should be seen by younger Scouts as role models.

It’s unfortunate to see young people hang up their uniforms for good right after earning Eagle. It’s like a pro athlete retiring right after being named the league MVP.

We should challenge our Eagle Scouts to find new outlets for their hard-earned skills. For some, that might mean taking on a new challenge in their own troop.

They could assume an advanced leadership role, such as senior patrol leader, den chief or junior assistant Scoutmaster — positions where their experience will help them shine.

BSA File Photo

2. Earn some Eagle Palms.

Scouts BSA’s merit badge program is so brilliant because of its variety.

Scouts must earn at least 21 merit badges to become Eagle Scouts, and 13 of those must come from the Eagle-required list. For the other eight merit badges, Scouts can choose from 124 options — from American Business to Woodwork. There are merit badges for pretty much every subject you can imagine — STEM, sports, hobbies, arts and crafts, and more.

Eagle Scouts who earn exactly 21 merit badges have earned about 15% of the 137 available. Why stop there?

Eagle Scouts who earn 26 merit badges or more are eligible to earn Eagle Palms they can pin to their rank emblem.

The Palms offer a great incentive for Eagle Scouts who want to continue learning, growing and exploring until they turn 18.

Venturing Crew 62 explores Swamp Base. (Pre-pandemic photo by W. Garth Dowling/BSA)

3. Join a Venturing crew.

While some Eagle Scouts will enjoy the challenge of leading the younger Scouts in their troop and being seen as role models, others crave fresh adventure.

That’s where the Venturing program shines.

Venturing is a coed program for young people who are at least 14 (or 13 and finished with the eighth grade) but not yet 21.

A unit in Venturing is called a crew. Its top elected youth leader is a president, while its top adult leader is an Advisor.

Most Venturing crews are focused on high adventure. Because all members are older, they can plan longer or more difficult camping, backpacking, hiking or paddling trips. These are trips that might be too advanced for every member of a Scouts BSA troop, where ages range from 11 to 17.

(Some larger Scouts BSA troops will split up some of their monthly trips, with the younger Scouts going camping and the older Scouts doing something more involved. But this solution won’t work for every troop.)

Venturing crews can specialize in other areas, too. There are crews based on topics like:

  • Arts and hobbies
  • Bicycling/BMX
  • Dance
  • Ham radio
  • Horseback riding
  • Magic
  • Model planes, rockets or trains
  • Music
  • Photography
  • Rock climbing
  • Sports

Because Venturing is so customizable, it can often be hard to define exactly what a Venturing crew can do. But the bottom line is this: If a young person has a hobby, interest or passion, they can turn it into a Venturing crew.

Sea Scouts enjoy the water. (Pre-pandemic photo by W. Garth Dowling/BSA)

4. Join a Sea Scout ship.

About 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. Tell that to a Sea Scout, and they’ll likely respond with: “Challenge accepted.”

Sea Scouts explore the water using vessels large and small. They travel the high seas on giant sailing vessels they learn to navigate themselves. They traverse lakes on stand-up paddleboards, canoes and kayaks. They explore underwater worlds by scuba diving or snorkeling.

Sea Scouting is a coed program for young people who are at least 14 (or 13 and finished with the eighth grade) but not yet 21.

A unit in Sea Scouting is called a ship. Its top elected youth leader is a boatswain (pronounced “bosun”), while its top adult leader is a Skipper.

You’ll find Sea Scout ships all over the country, even in states far from the literal sea. Sea Scouts plan their own water-based adventures that can last a weekend, a week or even longer.

The water is calling, and Sea Scouts answer the call.

An Eagle Scout teaches a merit badge at summer camp. (Pre-pandemic photo by Joe Klementovich/BSA)

5. Work at a council property.

“You get paid to spend your summer at Scout camp.”

For many older Scouts, that sentence alone is all it takes for them to sign their names on the dotted line.

For those who need a little more convincing, there’s this:

  • You can save up money. Because food, housing and at-camp activities are covered, Scouts typically end their summer with a decent sum in their bank account.
  • It looks great on a résumé for college or a job.
  • You’ll make friends.
  • You’ll help younger Scouts earn merit badges, advance in rank and make lifelong memories.

Eagle Scouts make great summer camp staffers. Many find that the job offers the ideal combination of opportunities to positively impact younger Scouts while also spending time with young people close to their age.

Article sourced from Brian On Scouting, April 9, 2021. See original article HERE.

Let’s close the debate on open-toe shoes vs. closed-toe shoes at Scouting events

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Fashion trends ebb and flow.

And while this blog probably isn’t the place to discuss the ins and outs of skinny jeans or no-show socks, there is one clothing debate we can settle once and for all.

It’s a question that’s been asked since at least the 1990s, when I first joined Scouting: Should Scouts wear open-toe shoes or closed-toe shoes?

The question hasn’t gone away in the decades since. Just this month, we heard from a volunteer named Kari Grantham, who writes: “We have lived in several states while Scouting, and every unit has said no open-toe shoes — only closed-toe shoes. So we just kind of went with that. I have never seen this in writing as a BSA policy, so I am curious what the truth is.”

The answer, unlike the world’s tolerance for tracksuits, hasn’t changed. Closed-toe shoes are the footwear of choice for campouts, summer camp and all other Scouting excursions.

This goes way beyond comfort or fashion choices and into the realm of health and safety.

Put simply, “closed-toe shoes protect your feet from weather conditions and environmental stressors,” says Tracie Turner, the BSA’s environmental, health and safety specialist.

There’s no formal policy, and no “BSA shoe police” on alert for exposed toes. But as volunteers, we should remind our Scouts to wear the right gear — from head to toe — for the activities they’re about to enjoy.

Also, we should note that some council camps do prohibit open-toe shoes, so be sure to check the official packing list before sliding those sandals into your Scout’s duffel.

The dangers of open-toe shoes

Turner admits that open-toe shoes have their appeal — in certain settings.

“They are breathable, reduce blisters, are easier to take off and on, and you can wear them around water,” Turner says. “But the drawback is the lack of protection they provide.”

Turner, who reviews reports about injuries in Scouting, says that the vast majority of these incidents involve slips, trips and falls.

“Having suitable closed-toe footwear to protect your feet is a preventive measure that works,” Turner says.

Think about the terrain you’ll encounter, and closed-toe shoes make even more sense.

“Children today have less experience navigating in the outdoors, and the landscapes at many camps will be novel for many campers,” the American Camp Association writes. “Does your camp have steep, uneven or slippery terrain? Closed-toed shoes are often the best choice.”

What the handbook says

Flip to page 245 of the latest edition of the Scouts BSA Handbook for more guidance about footwear.

“Taking care of your feet begins with choosing your footwear,” the section begins.

The page (embedded below) covers both long and short hikes, but pay particular attention to the box about camp shoes.

Many hikers like to switch out of their heavy hiking boots and into some lightweight, breathable camp shoes. Even here, closed-toe is the best bet.

“Choose closed-toe shoes that will help protect you from injury,” the Handbook suggests. “A pair of running shoes might be just right.”

Are all closed-toe shoes created equal?

“Footwear manufacturers put much thought into developing a product for a particular purpose,” Turner says. “For example, are you trail running in the summer or hiking through snowy terrain in the winter? Not all shoes are created equal.”

Turner offers these tips for finding closed-toe shoes that will work well and prevent injury:

  1. Get advice from a specialized retailer.
  2. Choose a shoe designed for your activity.
  3. Break your shoes in prior to prolonged use.

Speaking of advice, here’s one more: be sure to use the SAFE checklist when participating in any Scouting activity.

It’s the fashionable — and smart — thing to do.

 

Source: Bryan on Scouting, Bryan Wendel, May 21, 2021. To see the original article click HERE.

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