World Scout Environment Program

In July 2008, the World Scout Environment Badge, was adopted by the 38th World Scout Conference in Korea. By participating in activities based on five aims, scouts from around the world can earn this badge. The five aims are: air and water, habitats and native species, harmful substances, environmental practices, environmental hazards and natural disasters. Based on their experiences they then take action with a project, which contributes to the local and global environment.

Scouts participated in a wide range of activities that included exploring their local environment, looking at the local air quality and water quality, analyzing environmental issues in their country then engaging in debates and discussions, learning about natural disasters that could happen to their community, creating natural art pieces, tree planting, clean up activities, looking at their own carbon footprint and much more.

And so, during the first few months of 2008, Scout groups from nine countries (Algeria, Bolivia, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, Palestinian Authority, South Africa and the United Kingdom), tested the content and curriculum of this new program and in the end 550 Scouts were awarded this special badge.

YIS...LE

World Religion Badge

On March 4th, we had the opportunity to have a visit from the Muslim community, in the way of two special guests from Vancouver, BC.

Our pack has been currently working on their World Religion Badge and requests for a religious group to come visit with us went forth. One of the requirements is to meet with a knowledgeable adult who belongs to a religion ohter than their own and discover how that person puts their faith into practise.

It was an interesting night as the children learned about how God is worshiped by people of a culture that we don't often see in our area.

According to the World Scouting Organization, "...Scouting creates an atmosphere that is conducive to the search for inner peace and truth. In so doing, Scouting seeks to contribute to the development of young people who are strong in their convictions yet who are open and tolerant, firm in their faith while respectful of the faiths of others..."

"All members of the Scout Movement are required to adhere to a Scout (Cub) Promise and a Law reflecting, in language appropriate to the culture and civilization of each National Scout Organization and approved by the World Organization, which includes the principles of Duty to God."

YIS...LE

The Ultimate Pocket Knife!

OK. So you lost your knife camping last weekend. You need a new one?
How about the Wenger Giant Knife 2007?

It should have all the functions that you require. Who couldn't use a cigar cutter and a laser pointer at the same time?

Last year, Wenger produced this special "pocket knife", not to win a Guinness World Record, but to see if they were capable of achieving this technical feat. After one was built, another was produced, then another, etc... Soon people were getting wind of this knife. So more were produced, each one put together by hand one at a time.

It contains no fewer than 87 tools offering 141 functions. And of course the price? It retails here in Canada for $1500.

There are many Swiss Army companies that make knives, but from my experience there are only two that are worth talking about: Victorinox and Wenger.

I am personally a big fan of Victorinox knives, having owned 4. I always carry one in my pocket, and one on my belt. My last purchase was several years ago in the way of a SwissTool. My Multi-Tool has become very useful on a daily basis and I rarely leave home without it.
I would strongly suggest a Multi-Tool of some sort if you were looking for a perfect all-around tool. It covers all bases.

Leatherman makes some dandy multi-tools as well, but I have not had any experience with them. Though I have heard good things about their Wave multi-tool, they have now released a new model called Skeletool CX (voted "Gear of the Year" award by National Geographic Adventure Mag. for 2008).

I have checked with Scouts Canada regarding knives to see what is allowed with the kids. Knives are restricted with the Beaver level for safety reasons. In Cub Scouts, boys and girls are allowed to carry folding blade type knives including multi-tools, but only during age-appropriate activities such as camping. Only Scouts, Ventures and Rovers are allowed to carry sheath knives, but again, only during age-appropriate activies.

I also would strongly suggest that the kids take time with their leaders and learn the proper use of knives before using one. There are also several areas in their handbooks that can be marked off towards merit badges in regards to proper knife use, including the Tawny Star and Camping Badge.

Knives can be very useful in Scouting. But make sure whatever you choose that it is approriate for your childs age.

YIS...LE

James Calderwood-Super Scout!

James Calderwood has accomplished something that not many Scouts have done...in January he earned all 122 merit badges that are available in the Boy Scouts of America program!

"I never really planned on earning all the merit badges," Calderwood said, "I sort of started following my different passions and hobbies; and found merit badges a great way to learn about new things."

Earning merit badges is no easy task. A scout must prove he is proficient at the task and is then quizzed by a professional in the field before he gets to sew that badge on his sash. It took Calderwood six years to earn all of the badges, earning the last one (bugling) two days before his 18th birthday, the Boy Scout cutoff.

And speaking of sashes, Calderwood had to create his own sash by sewing three together to hold all of the badges.

It took him six years to earn all of the badges.

What a wonderful accomplishment!

YIS....LE

Highest Awards in Scouting

Have you ever wondered what the award is for the highest level that can be achieved in any countries Scouting program?

Each country has their own award. Some countries have an award for both Cubs, Scouts, Ventures and Rovers (like Singapore). Some don't (including Canada).

Follow this link to find out more. It is pretty cool to see what other countries are up to. Also, if you click on their country link, you can learn more about their Scouting program as well.

YIS...LE

An Olympian Visit!

Sonja Gaudet, an Olympic Gold Medalist from Vernon, BC was an honoured speaker at our recent Cub Pack meeting.
Looking towards earning their badge for Disability Awareness, the Cubs listened intently as Sonja spoke about her life before the Olympics, the road to the Olympics and what it means to work hard and be rewarded by reaching your goals.

Having become a paraplegic from a horseback riding accident, Sonja persurvered to become an Paralympic Gold Medalist for Canada in the Wheelchair Curling event at the 2006 Paralympic Games in Torino.

It was truly an honour to have her speak to the kids and especially to be able to have her share what she has gone through.

The questions came fast and furious as the children seemed to pick up on all she said.

The visit ended with a slide show and video showing us the Olympic games in Torino and a sneak peek at the games coming to Vancouver/Whistler 2010.

Thank you Sonja!

YIS...LE

U.K. Scouts' New Badges

The Boy Scouts across Britain have entered the 21st Century by adding new merit badges. While fitness and outdoor skills are still on the agenda, look to today’s Scouts to add merit badges for public relations and healthy eating to the list. The UK Scouting Association is calling this the largest ever revamp of its activity program, adding 40 new badges (Pictured is Chief Scout Peter Duncan).

The UK Scout Association often updates and adds new skills to keep the movement relevant.

An example is the new Public Relations badge. Among the requirements is for the child to contact a local media outlet and pitch a positive news story about scouting or writing a report about the movement and getting it published in, for example, a local paper.

Other new badges include a "healthy eating" badge (in response to the increasing rates of childhood obesity), space exploration, paragliding, and "street sports" — including skateboarding, stunt bike riding, and roller or inline skating.

It is great to see our Scouting movement is keeping in touch with what is going on in the world and responding positively. Keeping the badges relevant will ensure that boys and girls will continue to find Scouting exiting and fun. For more information click here.

In keeping up with the 21st century, maybe here in Canada we should add merit badges for Facebooking and MySpacing? (just kidding!)

Way to go Britian!

YIS...LE

Religion in Life Badge

Wow! What an incredible weekend! After some hard work, my son Josiah has earned his Religion in Life badge/award!

On hand for the presentation was our Group Commisioner Scouter Joel, our Beaver Leader Scouter Lisa, several Cub Scouts from our pack, Pastor Don, myself and my family.

Not many youth work on the requirements that are needed to be completed for this award. In fact, this badge is one of the more difficult to aquire. Josiah has been involved with church programs since he was very young. So, using his knowledge of his christian faith, he was able to work on his requirements and fulfill them in a timely manner.

I am very proud of him!

The purpose of this program is to provide Cubs and Scouts with the opportunity to explore their faith, to make it a basic part of their personal life, and to share it with others.

In Scouts Canada, the Religion in Life requirements differ in each faith and denomination and are prepared nationally by the church or religious bodies to suit their particular needs.

This award is open to all girls and boys involved with Scouting for an important part of the program is to assist in the spiritual growth of each girl and boy in their own religious community.

The Religion in Life program is in four progressive stages, colour-coded and adapted to the age groups concerned (Cub Scouts start at Stage 1 and earn the Yellow Border badge).

For more information check out the following Religion in Life link.

Way to go Josiah!!

yours in Scouting...LE

Badge Wheel

I found this great "Badge Wheel" showing all the badges and awards that can be earned by Canadian Cub Scouts. Once earned, they are sewn onto a sash (in an approved placement order) and worn across the front of their shirt. It is interesting in-so-far as showing other countries what is available for Cub Scouts in Canada. I haven't closely followed other countries to see what their badge programs or requirements are like compared to ours. Also, I have not heard of any Cub Scout earning all of these badges (I don't believe that it is possible to do so). The Cub Scout program runs three years, ages 8 to 10. Then they move onto Scouts. Plenty of time to earn plenty of badges.

To have a closer look at how all the badges and awards relate to each other, click on the wheel picture.

yours in Scouting... LE

Merit Badges

We are done now for the holiday season regarding pack meetings. We've had a successful start to the scouting year with many merit badges earned by the cubs.
One first year cub received his first badge recently and it was so fulfilling to see him in front of his pack buddies being awarded with a Collector badge! He was so happy, beaming a grin from cheek to cheek! I know that it has been written somewhere that boys and girls that have a parent involved directly with the pack as a leader are more likely to be successful in earning badges. It is unfortunate but likely the truth.
My son is probably a solid example of this.
Josiah now has 8 merit badges plus one on the way and shortly will be adding his Religion In Life badge to his sash (more about the R.I.L. badge another day). That's ten earned badges in less than ten pack meetings!
Call him an over-acheiver, but I do wonder how many he would have if I sat at home and was not involved directly in his pack?
Perhaps I shouldn't be so involved- let him take more of a lead. I'm not sure. But he really enjoys being a cubscout. When we sit down to work on his badge requirements, he is so gung-ho. He seems to really want to work hard at what needs to be done so I don't want to take a step back yet.
As far as the other cubs, I am not so sure what to do to motivate them at home. I guess I need to accept the fact that I am powerless in regards to helping them in their homelife badge work. That is still ultimately the parents responsiblilty.
But what we are doing during our pack meetings is where I believe that us leaders can have some influence. Here's why.
Our Akela, with input from other leaders, has put together a program whereby all of the cubscouts, if they attend regular meetings, will automatically receive two Stars each year in rotation, based on work that is accomplished during their regular meetings. Along with this, the cubs will be working towards certain merit badges as well (if meetings are missed they will need to catch up on some requirements on their own before they can receive any stars/badges).
So, even if no work is done at the home level, they should still be able to aquire some badges to a certain degree.
I think this is probably the best that we can hope for.









yours in Scouting... LE