Woods Wisdom: The Next Generation

Program-Features-cover_200How does your troop program planning go?

Some troops take last year’s calendar and just copy it, doing the same things each month. Others get together, rack their brains to think of new things to do but generally keep some key activities from year to year and rotate a couple other activities in and out. But a troop that keeps and holds the interest and involvement of the youth is one that plans a variety of things at troop meetings and on monthly campouts.

In participating in boards of review over the years, one of the things I heard most often is that the program is stale and boring, and this was borne out by attendance and participation levels. Continue reading “Woods Wisdom: The Next Generation”

Wolf program changes

tigerwolf_250Last month we presented an article on the changes coming later this year to the Tiger program in Cub Scouting. We’ll continue with an overview of changes to the next level, the Wolf program.

As I mentioned previously, the website Cub Scout Ideas, edited by Sherry Smotherman-Short, has a great overview of the new program that officially begins June 1st. Briefly, the new Wolf program replaces the twelve achievements with seven Adventures, six of which are required and one which may be selected from a choice of thirteen electives. The remaining twelve Adventures are optional but fun, and Scouts will earn an immediate recognition belt loop for each one they complete. Continue reading “Wolf program changes”

Follow my friends

thumbs_up_250I’m truly fortunate to have so many readers and followers here on Bobwhite Blather. I get a little kick out of seeing visitor statistics, a new follower on Twitter or a subscriber to the e-mail list. It’s good to know that my fellow Scouters are finding value in what they find here, and keep coming back.

There are many other Scouters who write for the world-wide web. You’ve probably discovered that you can find a lot of information on almost every conceivable Scouting topic.

But how can you tell which ones follow the first point of the Scout Law – trustworthy?

As our disclaimer reads, this blog isn’t to be construed as official information. That can come only from the Boy Scouts of America directly, and their several websites (chiefly scouting.org) provide the canonical reference on all things Scouting.

But many others are reliable sources, interpreting Scouting in line with official policy and traditional methods, and critical of those who would reinvent Scouting to advance their own ideas of what it’s all about. Continue reading “Follow my friends”

Tiger program changes

new_tiger_handbook_200If you’re a regular reader of this website, you’ve heard about changes coming to the Cub Scout program. Maybe you’ve read our articles, or those from Scouting Magazine’s blog, or attended Cub Scout Roundtable and heard about them from your friendly district Roundtable staff. As our own Roundtable commissioner told me, the program is very different – but in a good way.

Over the next few months I’ll outline those changes and give you some unique insight into how to prepare for next year’s Cub Scouting.

We’ll start where most boys and families start – with Tigers.

No, not Tiger Cubs – the name of the first-grade program officially changes to Tigers, to continue the integration of the youngest Cub Scouts into the pack. Continue reading “Tiger program changes”

It’s waaay different!

tigerwolf_250It’s been said that change is inevitable, and that nothing worthwhile is accomplished without change. We cannot start to change until we move out of our comfort zone.

Cub Scout leaders, prepare to be uncomfortable!

We’re a little under a year away from the national rollout of the new Cub Scout structure and program, initiated from the results of the 411 Project started a couple years ago to examine how to sustain and grow Scouting into the next decade and beyond. Details of the changes have been announced in stages and revised even before going into effect. There’s a lot to know and understand, and we’re here to help. Continue reading “It’s waaay different!”