Posted in Training, Venture Crew 483 on September 13, 2009| Leave a Comment »
VLSC-VLST_registration_form.doc
Sam Houston Area Council BSA is participating in a TWO Council-wide Venturing Training session.
When? Saturday, October 24, 2009 – 8:30 am to 3 pm (Registration 8 am)
Where? Cockrell Scout Center – 2225 N Loop West, Houston, Texas 77008-1311
I’ve attached the registration form. This is a great opportunity to get your crew trained!
Posted in Training on June 14, 2009| Leave a Comment »
It is important to remember that before any big adventure, one must be certain they are physically prepared for the tasks to follow. Simply said. Be prepared.
This year’s summer camp is going to involve a lot of fun. However, some of the scouts and leaders will need to do a little preparation. Two of our fearless leaders will become life guards. It is impairative that they practice thier strokes ahead of time to be sure they can meet the rigorous requirements to pass the course. Others will be hiking two miles up hill with all their gear for the week. OK… to some of you I know that is hilarous. But to someone who isn’t used to carrying 70 pounds on their back, much less, up a hill for two miles, it’s a little daunting.
Think about what your unit has ahead of them and how you can help them prepare so that everyone will have a fun time at the event. I for one am on my way downtown with the family to walk around in the heat, on the (hold laughter please) hills of Buffalo Bayou. For those unfamiliar with Houston, there are no real hills here, only bridges.
Posted in Training on May 24, 2009| Leave a Comment »
We’re all tasked with how to keep the older scouts interested in training that they’ve done repeatedly. We’re thinking of having a little competition. The younger scouts need to learn and master orienteering, but it’s hard to get the older boys to come and teach it sometimes.
So we’re thinking of a treasure hunt. An older boy, with a gps, is with each group of younger scouts. Each patrol is given a different set of coordinates and the gps can only be used for ‘gentle’ guidance (ie: You’re getting colder.. you’re getting warmer). The patrol with the most items found wins a cooking lesson for the camping meal of their choice.
A spin on this will be to have the older boys with the compasses against the younger boys with the gps set on compass. The younger boys would never stand a chance against the older ones if it were reversed. However, once they had the hang of it, we would reverse it so they can see how the two units work the same.
Posted in Training on May 8, 2009| 1 Comment »
If you are considering hosting a troop JLT as our Scout Master is planning to do for Troop 483, there are amazing resources out there for you . For example, I’m providing you with just a taste of what I found on a website provided by Troop 659 dedicated to their JLT Training.
G.E.A.R. – what does it mean?
Not long ago, there was a boy in our Troop who received a phone call telling him he was going to be the SPL for summer camp (most of our regular Staff wouldn’t be going that year – that can happen)…he drew a deep breath and said, “WOW”! A little overwhelmed by the idea but willing to give it a try. We believe his participation in JLT gave him more confidence & ended up doing a pretty good job.
The Scoutmaster reviewed his performance throughout the week & let him know what he was doing right and wrong. Here’s where G.E.A.R. comes in:
G.et into your job
E.xpect the unexpected
A.ccept criticism
R.eflect on your training
…sounds alot like life, doesn’t it?
Keeping this one word in mind ANYTIME you need to step into a Leadership role will make the job easier & less stressful. REMEMBER IT ALWAYS!
PEER PRESSURE & TROOP LEADERSHIP
As you enter adolescence, all of you will share one common occurrence — the experience of transition. There’s no middle ground in these experiences. They’ll either be successful and lead to happiness or the experiences will be troublesome and lead to failure.
Most people think (especially parents) that peer pressure is the reason for negative behaviors in young teenagers but the reality is that peers are necessary and very important in helping adolescents make successful transitions:
How can you help each other as peers, be more successful in troop leadership?
PEERS CAN AND DO ACT AS POSITIVE ROLE MODELS (Lead by example)
PEERS CAN AND DO DEMONSTRATE APPROPRIATE SOCIAL BEHAVIORS (Always keep in mind you’re working with boys of different ages)
PEERS LISTEN TO, ACCEPT AND UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATIONS, CHALLENGES AND CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH BEING A YOUNG TEENAGER.
If all of you really understand this and you develop into Troop Leadership together, you will be more supportive of each other, which is necessary in being an effective leader.
Peers provide an opportunity for young teens to meet their needs, to feel capable, to belong, to be respected and to have fun! You’ll find that sometimes the adult leaders may bring you down in some moment of decision-making — that’s when you have to rely on each other for strength of character so you can go forward on not dwell on negatives.
Right here and now you’re being trained for a time in the future that may bring some of you together on Troop Staff.I hope this information helps you understand each other a little better. When you’re working with the Troop, keep whatever’s happening in school,IN SCHOOL. Keep whatever’s happening among you in the street, ON THE STREET
Remember to STAY FOCUSED ON YOUR LEADERSHIP POSITION.
Posted in High Adventure, Scouting as an Adult, Training on March 24, 2009| 1 Comment »
It must be a fever that is contagious because my husband and I can’t wait to get back to our high adventure training at Powder Horn in less than two weeks. We had a blast getting to know the PH leaders, other members in our Crew, as well as having the opportunity to form a tighter bond with one of our district friends. I had already worked a bit with Todd, but now my husband has had the pleasure as well. He is serving as our Crew President and he’s doing an outstanding job.
Four of us signed up for Powder Horn last year and after one cancellation, this session stuck. Robin and Gary joined Crew 4 and Quint and I became a part of Crew 2. Other than meals, we would all wave (and heckle) in passing as we went to our various classes in the Iron Wheel Mesa section of El Rancho Cima.
Weekend one involved training in: Rifle Shooting (I shot quarter patterns on both rounds), Shotgun Shooting (I shot 3 out of five birds on my first time ever firing a shotgun), Archery (ok… I can’t be great at everything – guns are my thing!), mountain bike riding, climbing, geocaching, horseback riding, and cooking. We had a lovely Sunday service, learned about camping gear, astronomy, and many other things. Can you say action packed?
For a little friendly competition, each crew was given a recipe card and then had to dive into the kitchen area to create a tasty dish that we all shared for dinner. Granted, Robin reported that she only allowed Gary to open cans… baby steps. I am proud to say that Crew 2’s (yes, mine and Quint’s) Fat Shepherd’s Pie won for best flavor. Crew 4’s Enchilada Lasagna won for most creative.
Look into your area and do whatever is necessary to be sure the next session has enough participants to happen and that if you haven’t attended, that you do so. It is well worth it. Not only will your unit have a better high adventure program for your education, you’ll have an incredibly great time. I’ll update you on what we learn on the 2nd and 3rd weekends. Below I’ll share some pictures from our two crew’s cameras.
Posted in High Adventure, Training, Using Your Resources on March 1, 2009| Leave a Comment »
I have wanted to do this for a few years now. Along with a few other leaders that are “adrenaline junkies” will be training three weekends in March, April, and May at CIMA, Strake and Hammond. The training is high adventure training which will benefit the Troop and Crew. We will not be there to be certified in climbing, mountain biking,scuba etc. but will learn where and how to use our resources for a high adventure program, not to mention having some fun as well. We’ll keep you all updated with our course progress and pictures throughout our training.
Posted in Backpacking, BSA Camps, Camping, Climbing & Rappelling, Education, High Adventure, Training on January 24, 2009| 2 Comments »
The principles of Leave No Trace might seem unimportant until you consider the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located campsite or campfire may have little significance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is everyone’s responsibility.
Proper trip planning and preparation helps hikers and campers accomplish trip goals safely and enjoyably while minimizing damage to natural and cultural resources. Campers who plan ahead can avoid unexpected situations, and minimize their impact by complying with area regulations such as observing limitations on group size. Schedule your trek to avoid times of high use. Obtain permits or permission to use the area for your trek.
Proper planning ensures
Damage to land occurs when visitors trample vegetation or communities of organisms beyond recovery. The resulting barren areas develop into undesirable trails, campsites, and soil erosion.
These guidelines apply to most alpine settings and may be different for other areas, such as deserts. Learn the Leave No Trace techniques for your crew’s specific activity or destination. Check with land managers to be sure of the proper technique.
This simple yet effective saying motivates backcountry visitors to take their trash home with them. It makes sense to carry out of the backcountry the extra materials taken there by your group or others. Inspect your campsite for trash or spilled foods. Accept the challenge of packing out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
Backcountry users create body waste and wastewater that require proper disposal.
Wastewater. Help prevent contamination of natural water sources: After straining food particles, properly dispose of dishwater by dispersing at least 200 feet (about 80 to 100 strides for a youth) from springs, streams, and lakes. Use biodegradable soap 200 feet or more from any water source.
Human Waste. Proper human waste disposal helps prevent the spread of disease and exposure to others. Catholes 6 to 8 inches deep in humus and 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites are often the easiest and most practical way to dispose of feces.
Allow others a sense of discovery, and preserve the past. Leave rocks, plants, animals, archaeological artifacts, and other objects as you find them. Examine but do not touch cultural or historical structures and artifacts. It may be illegal to remove artifacts.
Do not dig tent trenches or build lean-tos, tables, or chairs. Never hammer nails into trees, hack at trees with hatchets or saws, or damage bark and roots by tying horses to trees for extended periods. Replace surface rocks or twigs that you cleared from the campsite. On high-impact sites, clean the area and dismantle inappropriate user-built facilities such as multiple fire rings and log seats or tables.
Good campsites are found, not made. Avoid altering a site, digging trenches, or building structures.
Some people would not think of camping without a campfire. Yet the naturalness of many areas has been degraded by overuse of fires and increasing demand for firewood.
Lightweight camp stoves make low-impact camping possible by encouraging a shift away from fires. Stoves are fast, eliminate the need for firewood, and make cleanup after meals easier. After dinner, enjoy a candle lantern instead of a fire.
If you build a fire, the most important consideration is the potential for resource damage. Whenever possible, use an existing campfire ring in a well-placed campsite. Choose not to have a fire in areas where wood is scarce—at higher elevations, in heavily used areas with a limited wood supply, or in desert settings.
True Leave No Trace fires are small. Use dead and downed wood that can be broken easily by hand. When possible, burn all wood to ash and remove all unburned trash and food from the fire ring. If a site has two or more fire rings, you may dismantle all but one and scatter the materials in the surrounding area. Be certain all wood and campfire debris is cold out.
Quick movements and loud noises are stressful to animals. Considerate campers practice these safety methods:
You are too close if an animal alters its normal activities.
Thoughtful campers respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
Be considerate of other campers and respect their privacy.
Posted in Camping, Training, Venture Crew 483 on December 27, 2008| 2 Comments »
As one of our Troop’s eight COPE facilitators, I’ve been very proud of the six boys who are not only Boy Scouts but also members of the Crew. They have had going to COPE as one of their primary goals since inception a year ago. Right now, at Winter Camp, all but one are participating in it. The sole member who could not do it is focusing instead on completing his merit badges so he can meet his more immediate goal of Eagle Scout by April.
At first, I was a little concerned that by going to COPE, they were taking away from all they could ascertain by attending winter camp because many of the more difficult merit badges are offered there. But then, at this month’s Venturing Round Table, we discussed the Bronze Awards and my opinion changed. Three of the Crew joined me at the meeting and all three, who were not previously enthusiastic, about the recognition potential of Bronze Awards, are now eager to see where they fall in the accomplishment of each. One, in particular, is actually very close to two of them. Attending COPE will become a major contributor to their earning the Outdoor Bronze Award.
However, I haven’t lost focus on how these boys attending COPE will help the troop. In the past year, as many of you know, our troop has been extraordinarily blessed with the number of scouts who have become Eagle rank and then moved on to college. Because we had a slow recruiting season for two years several falls back, this left a gap in ages, and as a result, our leadership is primarily 15 years old to young 17s. This training is going to go far in maturing their leadership skills; enabling them to become stronger troop leaders at a younger age. I fully expect that the troop will see an immedate change in their leadership styles, integration of technique into guiding the troop, and most of all, their trust in each other.
Times of change are upon us and I, for one, am very excited.
Posted in Retention, Training on December 1, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Too often we see scouts lose interest in the BSA. In working with our troop, the adult leaders watched meetings to isolate areas that could be improved. Identifying the 2nd year scouts who haven’t reached 1st Class, and the 15+ year old group who haven’t moved from Star to Life as the two highest areas of retention issues, we developed a theory. Simply put, if they lack direction, they become bored. Pretty simple right? Both of these groups voice the same complaints that ‘nothing happens at scouts’, ‘I can’t get anything done’, then finally, ‘I don’t want to go’. These are complaints that can be addressed.
The problem for the younger group is that because, for whatever reason, they didn’t make it to 1st Class when the rest of the first year scouts did, they find themselves left behind. The new first year scouts are getting continual guidance and the ones who made it to first class are now working on loftier, less checklist oriented, skills to achieve Star. The problem(s) for the older group is that often, Merit Badges are only readily available at long term camps and / or they don’t know who to go to within the troop to find a counselor. Well, and of course, gasoline and perfume. Obviously, these aren’t problems that are new to scouting or that have only been seen in our troop, district, or counsel.
I’ve developed a plan to try and help. If it works like I hope it will, I’ll take it to the district level where I am the lead for Retention. The ‘in a nutshell’ version is: The Star and Life rank scouts become more engaged with the younger scouts by checking the board regularly to see who is behind. They take those scouts, look over their books, and make sure they get the experiences necessary for advancement. Next, they coordinate with me to be sure they have the adult leadership available to ensure they have counselors on hand for Merit Badge advancements for themselves. I took each of the older scouts aside and discussed it with them a few months ago and they were very receptive.
Some nights we see it work really well, other nights we don’t. Slowly though, it’s been gaining momentum and the boys are using it more and more. It went further tonight than ever. Examples: A 1st Class had a Scout off to the side assisting him in memorizing the scout oath and promise, the two things he needs to complete to become Tenderfoot. In another corner, another 1st Class was working with a Tenderfoot on requirements for 2nd Class. A Star was helping a young man who has recently rejoined scouting to get him from Tenderfoot up to 2nd Class. Meanwhile, I, as a former committee member, educated a parent on how to conduct a Board of Review to increase our pool of parents who are the final step in advancing the boys to their next rank. Normally, what I did would be handled by the committee, but they were conducting their monthly meeting tonight so I helped her out while no one was looking. 🙂
If tonight was an indicator, I’m encouraged. Many scouts approached the ASMs to sign off in their books after having worked with the higher ranked scouts to finish up lingering requirements. Congratulations go out as four scouts reached the rank of 2nd Class and three reached the rank of Life. We also added three parents to the pool available for Boards of Review. When you add to that a productive committee meeting and our scout master meeting with four potential new scouts and their families, it was a good night!
Posted in Training, Troop 483 on November 14, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Remember that list of questions I posted a few days ago? Well, it received a comment that made me think that perhaps this blog needs a FAQ page. In that spirit, I’ve created one and taken a personal challenge to answer all those questions for anyone who would like to take a gander at it. Before you go to the Troop 483 FAQ page above, I want to warn you it’s in progress so you’ll want to take a look there every week or so to see how far down the list I’ve gotten.
Also, I want to mention that as you go through it, you may see some new questions. It will always be a work in progress because, as you all probably know, there’s a good question just around the corner. When we are asked it, we’ll add it to the FAQ.
Please remember that it reflects how our troop runs and that the answers are not a suggestion, in any way, of how other troops should function. The beauty of having a variety of troops is that there are a variety of boys; so there’s one for everybody. Enjoy!
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Troop 483 Blog 
