Friday, July 12, 2013

We've Moved!

We have changed platforms. New website is up (while a little rough yet) at www.LatterdayScout.com - please come by and visit there and add to your feeds and reading lists!

Sorry if this messes up any of your subscriptions/reading lists..

YiS,

Latter-day Scout

Friday, July 5, 2013

Book Review: Beginning Boy Scouts

In conjunction with this book review, we are giving away a free copy of this book to our readers! See details at the end of the review! Please note that the Authors provided me two copies of the book, one to review and one to give to you - but did not have input or sign-off on the review posted below.

In 2011, authors Jeremy and Heather Reed determined the Scouting community could use a concise resource for getting involved in Scouting. The result is "Beginning Boy Scouts; An Unofficial Practical Guide to Boy Scouting for Parents and New Leaders".


This book - focused on Boy Scouting in America - is not intended to be a comprehensive resource covering all aspects of Scouting. Brief mention of Cub Scouts, Varsity, and Venturing are noted, but the primary audience are those parents, scouts, and new leaders that are just being introduced to Scouting for the first time. Nor does it cover Scouting programs outside the United States, although some may find it useful for beginning Scouting regardless of minor differences. (Keep reading..)

Founder’s Bar Recognition

I've been in scouting a pretty long time. Yet, it never ceases to amaze me how there is always something new to learn and there's always one more award, recognition, or patch to be earned. This is one of the many things that keeps Scouting exciting to me!

Today while reading a blog post by another revered Scouter I know from Twitter, as he described the formation of a new Scout Troop, I saw the image of a "Founder" bar on his blog post. That got me curious, so I did some searching and found out some great information about this relatively new recognition.

The Founder's Bar was announced by the New-Unit Task Force in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America in 2010. The new Founder’s Bar recognition"worn by all youths and adults whose names are on a new-unit charter or who join the new unit before it recharters for the first time; members of veteran units still in operation who were on the original charter may also wear the bar" (1)

Q&A from the BSA's Website:


Overview
Worn by all youths and adults whose names are on a new-unit charter or who join the new unit before it recharters for the first time; members of veteran units still in operation who were on the original charter may also wear the bar.

Who Can Earn This Award?
Presented

How To Get the Award
Bar, wall certificate, pocket certificate sold by Supply.

Supply Item Description & Uniform Placement
Founder's Bar is worn directly under the unit number.

Supply/BIN Item Number
Founder's Bar, No. 610129; pocket certificate, No. 34776; certificate, No. 34775

Additional information on this great recognition also can be found here.

Needless to say I'll be checking into this since we are in the process of chartering 4 new units! (Pack, Troop, Team, Crew!)

See also this post about the William D. Boyce, New Unit Organizer Award!

Thomas S. Monson Award: Now, For Every Scout and Scouter!

Before you turn away, thinking this post is just for LDS scouts - it's not! Please read on about this great award, now available to all Scouts and Scouters!

In this 2010 post I wrote about my experience at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree, and my experience earning the George Albert Smith award. Now that three years has passed, I can honestly say that this award is one of my most prized remembrances from the Jamboree experience. Not just because of the quality and beauty of the award, but the experience in earning it. The award was available to all Scouts and Scouters at the Jamboree, independent of religion.

Now, in preparation for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree, the LDS-BSA Relationships Office has released details of the Thomas S. Monson award which will debut at the 2013 Jamboree. This award has very similar requirements to those of the George Albert Smith award, but will now be available (after the Jamboree/August 2013) to all Scouts and Scouters - even those who do not participate in the Jamboree - shortly after the Jamboree concludes. Once again, this award will be available to all Scouts and Scouters, regardless of religion, who wish to participate and earn this choice award.

So just who is Thomas S. Monson? He's a strong advocate for Scouting, a Silver Buffalo recipient, and he's the current President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a Prophet of God. You can read more about him here.

This years award also celebrates the centennial of the relationship between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Boy Scouts of America. The LDS church was first organization to embrace the Boy Scouts with a national charter in 1913.  From the award requirements:
On May 21, 1913, a charter was signed and the MIA Scouts officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America. A dynamic partnership, destined to affect millions of boys, had been formed. As the first nationally chartered organization, the LDS Church established a pattern for other religious and community groups to partner with the Boy Scouts of America, thus affecting additional youth and organizations throughout the following century. Today, the LDS Church is the largest chartered organization of the Boy Scouts of America, sponsoring approximately 430,000 youth and 37,000 units in 2012.
Today the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remains one of the largest advocates for scouting, and is the "largest chartered organization of the Boy Scouts of America, sponsoring approximately 430,000 youth and 37,000 units in 2012."(1)

So why would you want to pursue this award?

  1. Learn more about the LDS Church's support for the scouting movement.
  2. Read motivational story about how Scouting impacts the lives of young men forever.
  3. Complete requirements in two merit badges (Genealogy and Family Life).
  4. Reinforce faith and Duty to God.
  5. Reinforce living the Scout Law
  6. Meet new Scouts and engage in discussion the value of Scouting in your life

The requirements epitomize the core values of scouting. Duty to God, Brotherhood of Scouting, Advancement, living the Scout Oath and Law.

Certainly a valuable experience for all scouts to participate in this wonderful experience and earn a beautiful award. I hope all of you will review the requirements and take the time to pursue this award.

I would be very interested in hearing your feedback and especially your thoughts and feelings as you complete the requirements and/or are successful in earning the award.

Award Details
Award Requirements
Award Order Form (available August 2013)