Scouts…Earn Your Way to Scout Camp Free!!
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SCOUTER The Mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. 2 ~ MARCH/APRIL 2009 HOORAY FOR HEROES Scouter “We have been following the plan!” “We have been following the plan!” Sometimes it’s beyond my reach to fi nd an inspirational Scouting topic to share with everybody who actually reads this article (all 55 of you at last count!). Then again, sometimes ideas just materialize out of the blue! Each February, as anyone who has been in Scouting for fi ve minutes knows, is our month to celebrate the anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America and for every Cub Scout pack in the United States (and beyond) to put on a spectacular Blue and Gold banquet. This past February 28, I had the opportunity to be a guest of Cub Scout Pack 3026 in Allegan. (Thank you Cubmaster Frank Andrews and leaders!) What a fantastic Blue and Gold program and an extremely well run Cub Scout Pack! Now, your question to me should be: “What are your criteria for making such a statement?” Well, I am glad you asked (you did ask, right? ). Here are the quality points I watched for: 1) Super cool invitation related to the Blue and Gold theme 2) Cub Scout greeters at the door 3) Well laid-out and colorful, themed items throughout (wall decorations, table centerpieces, etc.) 4) Reserved places or tables for guests 5) Well thought-out dinner or food service plan 6) Seating by dens with each parent having a table role to perform 7) Lots and lots of properly uniformed and smiling leaders (leaders having as much fun as youth) 8) Starts on time and ends in a timely manner 9) Opening fl ag ceremony and meal prayer 10) Explain the theme of the evening and introduce guests 11) Strong but brief message from a keynote speaker 12) Presentation of limited and special awards only 13) KISMIF (keep it simple, make it fast/fun) 14) Real, thought-out award ceremony 15) Recognition of all Pack volunteer leaders 16) Powerful Arrow of Light and crossover ceremony 17) Written program for everyone, written “announcements” 18) 100 percent Webelos crossover (makes a statement about Webelos den and local Scout Troop relation- ships) 19) Great helpers and servers (Cub Scout leaders Roseanne Hall and Julie Jenison of Cub Scout Pack 3097 in Wayland were awesome!) 20) Powerful closing ceremony; leave them inspired 21) After closing, duties of table captains (parents) take place 22) After closing, den leader award presentations to Cub Scouts (all other awards 23) Written thank you notes to guests and key helpers Scouter HOORAY FOR HEROES MARCH/APRIL 2009 ~ 3 Long list, huh? Impossible you say? No one can do all 23 of those things! Really? Please don’t tell that to the leaders of Pack 3026! This pack focused its entire Blue and Gold on 1) brief, powerful ceremony for Arrow of Light awards (and it was an awesome ceremony!), rank awards and religious awards; 2) recognizing and thanking their leaders; and 3) a super Boy Scout crossover ceremony. Perfect!! When I caught up with Cubmaster Andrews to thank him for the invitation and super evening, he smiled and said, “We just followed the plan!” Congratulations Cub Scout Pack 3026! You presented a quality program No wonder your pack is growing! Hooray for the heroes who keep it simple but always make it fun! Hooray for the heroes who wear their uniforms and serve our Scouts! After 30plus years as a professional Scout leader, I have witnessed fi rst hand the great, the good, the bad and the ugly of unit-conducted ceremonies and dinners. I hope yours was a great one. Follow the plan and it will be. After all, our Scouts deserve our very best!! My Best, Michael D. Sulgrove Scout Executive P.S. In the past two weeks, I have talked with 50 or so Cubmasters, Scoutmasters and other Scouting leaders who have told me that in every Webelos-to-Scout crossover, the Scout joined a Boy Scout Troop! One hundred percent! Fantastic! Super! Awesome! Too Cool! Way to follow the plan! 4 ~ MARCH/APRIL 2009 Scouter COUNCIL CALENDAR ORDER OF THE ARROW SPRING CONCLAVE- MARCH MAY 15-17, 2009 Feb-March 1 Summer Camp Staff Training GERBER SCOUT CAMP 2 Scoutreach Committee Meeting, DeVos Family Center for Scouting 14 Spring Sale Begins Our annual Spring 15 OA Executive Committee Meeting, DeVos Family Center for Conclave for the Scouting, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Order of the Ar- 17 Venturing Offi cers Association Meeting, DeVos Family Center for row is just around Scouting, 6:30-8:30 p.m. the corner. Here 19 Board of Directors Meeting, DeVos Family Center for Scouting, are some things 6:30 p.m. that you should 19 Council Key 3 Meeting, DeVos Family Center for Scouting know about it: 1. Many service hours 19 Day Camp Committee Meeting, DeVos Family Center for Scouting 19 Trust Advisory Committee Meeting, DeVos Family Center for will be given to help get Gerber Scout Scouting Camp ready for another incredible 21 Scouting for Food (Bags Out) summer. 2. The youth in each chapter 21 Trainer Development Conference, DeVos Family Center for Scout- will be selecting new chiefs. 3. The ing youth will be electing a lodge chief. 4. 26 Endowment Meeting, DeVos Family Center for Scouting, 6:00 p.m. Fellowship-there will be plenty. 5. The 28 Scouting for Food Bag Collection food is guaranteed to be top notch. This 31 Scouter Articles Deadline (May-June Issue) looks like the start of a top ten list as to why you should participate in Spring APRIL Conclave. The bottom line is that you 6 Scoutreach Committee Meeting, DeVos Family Center for Scouting should make every effort to participate. 10 Good Friday, DeVos Family Center for Scouting Closed It is your obligation as an Arrowman. 10 National Scout Shop - OPEN For more details, please keep an eye out 16 Day Camp Committee Meeting, DeVos Family Center for Scouting, for your Sparks from the Fire. Feel free 6:30-9:00 p.m. 17 Council Offi cers Meeting, DeVos Family Center for Scouting, to look on the Lodge website as well at 6:30-9:00 p.m. https://www.bigtent.com/groups/nachat- 17-19 Webelos Leader Outdoor Training, Gerber Scout Camp, indey 5:00pm Fri til 11:00am Sun 17-19 Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills Training, Gerber Scout Camp, 5:00pm Fri til 11:00am Sun 18 Baloo Training, Gerber Scout Camp, 8:00am-5:00pm 18 Spring Sale Ends 19 OA Executive Committee, DeVos Family Center for Scouting, 2:00-4:00pm 20 Fundraising Committee Meeting, DeVos Family Center for Scouting 21 Venturing Offi cers Association Meeting, DeVos Family Center for Scouting, 6:30-7:30pm 24-25 Day Camp Training 25 Troop Leadership Training Workshop, DeVos Family Center for Scouting, 8:00am-5:00pm 25 Venturing Food, Fire, Fun, DeVos Family Center for Scouting 30 Endowment Meeting, DeVos Family Center for Scouting, 6:00pm Scouter COUNCIL HAPPENINGS MARCH/APRIL 2009 ~ 5 TRIBUTE FUND POPCORN TOP SELLERS At the January Council Board of Directors Meet- Contributions have been made In Memory of: ing the Gerald R. Ford Council recognized each of the districts’ top sellers. The board also rec- Gordon J. Martiny from Marilyn and Burrill Colburn, Shirley D. Kison (Ray Baker, Jack Kison), Bill Rocker ognized the top three sellers in the council. The top three sellers in the Gerald R. William G.H. Smith from Mr. and Mrs. T. Jarowic, Mr. Roy Emp- Ford Council are: Nick McMa- nus, Pack 3026, Ryan Montgom- son, Mrs. Pearl E. Smith ery, Pack 3165 and Dylan Lorenz Pack 3090. We would like to Randall J. Baar from Mike and Francie Sulgrove, John H. Myaard CLU CHFC, Mr. and Mrs. James VerPlank, Adam and Elizabeth thank all of our Scouts and lead- ers for our best popcorn sale ever. Rolinski, Janice Buckley, Edward and Lynne Kinkema, John Van Dam, Robert Bishop, Mary and David Query, Susan E. DeKock, James and Virginia Jurries, Carol Gilcrest, Dave and Barb Paul- son, The Feyen’s (Chet and Myrna, Chuck and Pat, Jim and Deb), The Top Sellers in the Districts are: Ms. Joan Johnson, Peter Elzinga, Dr. and Mrs. William F. Rocker, Scott and Sally Kiekintveld, Alan and Gail Hering, Deb and Tom Five Rivers: Alex Drent, Pack 3322 Ludwig, Elaine and Douglas Schaedler, Cleon and Ellie Morgan, Mary Bicknell, Kathryn Steffens, Bunk and Norma VanArk, Nancy Max Majinska, Pack 3188 Tristen Perrone, Pack 3071 and James VanDam, Tom Wolterink and Sandy Buller, Ed and Joan Fuder, Gary Lucas, Carol and Phillip Knoll, Eric and Tanya Seif, Pere Marquette: Tom and Judy Bublitz and Sons - Kelly, Tim, Clinton Bublitz all Eagle Scouts, James and Mary Keating, Daniel Horning, Gene J. Brendan Balaskovitz, Pack 4048 Connor Willick, Pack 4144 Gilmore CLU, Thomas and Karen Baar, Timothy and Ruth Dillon, Mr. Lloyd Ney Jr., Lawrence J. Overbeek, CLU, Gregory William Dylan Hinds,Troop 1144 Farr, Anthony Lewis, Earland Kay DeWitt, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network (NAIFA-Holland), Mark Staat, M. Siess, N. Eagle Spirit: Christopher Herweyer, Troop 338 Thompson Bailey McGuinness, Pack 3390 Neal Hoskins, Pack 3065 DuaneWalerczyk from Gene Chamberlain, Dan and Jean Swindell, Anderson Daymon Worldwide LLC, CC Associates Inc., Howard Lakeshore: and Jeanne Seligmann, Joan and Dan Moser, Karen, Kirsten, Ty and Trent Carlson, Mr. and Mrs. John Pocius Jr., Mr. Paul Horgen David Puzycki, Pack 3006 Joshua Kleinheksel, Pack 3149 Jerome LaVene from Lyle, Edna and Agnes Cheyne, Denise Nathan Atherton, Pack 3098 Oughton Thomas L.