This past scout meeting we were scheduled to take a tour of our local firestation, but as emergencies are unexpected (of course), they were called out & had to cancel :( We'll go next time. The boys instead, took advantage of the overcast weather & breeze and got yet another workout (they just came from football) playing Capture the Flag.
This was also the first scout meeting where the scoutmasters stepped aside & observed. To push the point that the troop is scout lead, Venu & P.J our Patrol Leaders took over & ran the show-exciting stuff to see our boys step it up! This is how every meeting will go...scoutmasters are simply there for support & guidance. Venu & P.J will now have help from their newly voted Secretary, Viliamu S. & Lorenzo V., Historian. We are all excited & look forward to see what these new leaders will bring to the table.
Congratulations boys! **Lead & Inspire**
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Putting in the Prep. time
Today (7/30) our troop did our swimming test(s) to prepare for our canoeing next week at ward camp. Us leaders, are only 24 years old, but even our energy can't keep up with our scouts...I didn't even swim & I was exhausted after the whole thing.
We had a great turn out with the exception of some very late comers and those who didn't make it all. This is because we were last minute in planning this swim test-next time, we'll be better at getting news out further in advance.
The boys were split into ability groups depending on what level test they could complete. There were the non-swimmers, those who cannot swim at 6 ft or float on their own. Then were the beginner swimmers-most of our boys fall into this category. They had to jump in feet first at 9 ft., level-off, swim 25 ft., turn sharply
& swim back-these boys can swim at 6 ft.
There were 5 scouts who attempted the Swimmers test, the highest level. This one is a difficult challenge & we only had 3 who could pass-Malakai Solovi, Logan Johnson & Landon Johnson. We have to give major props to Webber Ava & Lorenzo Va'afuti for getting half-way...maybe next time, we'll have more takers.
Swimmers test, you have to : Jump feet first, level-off, swim on the surface as fast as possible for 75 yards (the length of the competition pool is 25 yards, so they swam the row 3 times), turning sharply without support, backstroking 25 yards
& then floating for a total of 100 yards! This had to be done non-stop! no rest.
Why do scouts do this? Well, it's a BSA requirement but it also let's us leaders know where each scout is at with their abilities-this helps us properly supervise them. When swimming in natural waters, we can easily determine which boys need to stay close to shore and who can venture out a bit further. Now we can also assign buddies-each scout has a partner within their ability group to stick with at ALL times, in or out of the water. By the end of the year, we hope to have every scout from the non-swimmer group to a beginner swimmer.
All in all, it was a fun day with lunch to end it all. Thanks scouts!
We had a great turn out with the exception of some very late comers and those who didn't make it all. This is because we were last minute in planning this swim test-next time, we'll be better at getting news out further in advance.
The boys were split into ability groups depending on what level test they could complete. There were the non-swimmers, those who cannot swim at 6 ft or float on their own. Then were the beginner swimmers-most of our boys fall into this category. They had to jump in feet first at 9 ft., level-off, swim 25 ft., turn sharply
& swim back-these boys can swim at 6 ft.
There were 5 scouts who attempted the Swimmers test, the highest level. This one is a difficult challenge & we only had 3 who could pass-Malakai Solovi, Logan Johnson & Landon Johnson. We have to give major props to Webber Ava & Lorenzo Va'afuti for getting half-way...maybe next time, we'll have more takers.
Swimmers test, you have to : Jump feet first, level-off, swim on the surface as fast as possible for 75 yards (the length of the competition pool is 25 yards, so they swam the row 3 times), turning sharply without support, backstroking 25 yards
& then floating for a total of 100 yards! This had to be done non-stop! no rest.
Why do scouts do this? Well, it's a BSA requirement but it also let's us leaders know where each scout is at with their abilities-this helps us properly supervise them. When swimming in natural waters, we can easily determine which boys need to stay close to shore and who can venture out a bit further. Now we can also assign buddies-each scout has a partner within their ability group to stick with at ALL times, in or out of the water. By the end of the year, we hope to have every scout from the non-swimmer group to a beginner swimmer.
All in all, it was a fun day with lunch to end it all. Thanks scouts!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
PREVENT crime!
Tonight we started the Crime Prevention merit badge. Of course, we have an edge on this topic because our scoutmaster is a cop. Soooo, out came the real footage of a drug house, footage from the Best of "Cops" & a video called "Faces of Meth."
We had a great discussion about drug, alcohol & kava use. The boys came up with a great question asking "Is Bula ok to drink?" For those of you who are not familiar, BULA is a new carbonated drink that has "ava" as an ingredient. Kava is a narcotic root & although does not give you the same effects as alcohol, it does alter your normal state of mind. This is a controversal topic, but our Bishop came in & gave us the simple answer of "NO. Which is important? Your covenant with your heavenly father or the worldly traditions of your culture?" This is something for our scouts to really think about. So thanks Bishop for the insight!
The scouts got a real kick out of watching the videos-we thought it would help bring to life the issues of our discussion. So below is a link of one of the videos they viewed- "faces of meth"
Here are ideas that our scouts came up with on how to prevent crime in their own neighborhoods:
We had a great discussion about drug, alcohol & kava use. The boys came up with a great question asking "Is Bula ok to drink?" For those of you who are not familiar, BULA is a new carbonated drink that has "ava" as an ingredient. Kava is a narcotic root & although does not give you the same effects as alcohol, it does alter your normal state of mind. This is a controversal topic, but our Bishop came in & gave us the simple answer of "NO. Which is important? Your covenant with your heavenly father or the worldly traditions of your culture?" This is something for our scouts to really think about. So thanks Bishop for the insight!
The scouts got a real kick out of watching the videos-we thought it would help bring to life the issues of our discussion. So below is a link of one of the videos they viewed- "faces of meth"
Here are ideas that our scouts came up with on how to prevent crime in their own neighborhoods:
- Go out & talk to your neighbors and make friends. This is a great way to notice strangers more easily in your neighborhood but also creates a sense of block unity. People are more likely to watch out for you & your home if you know each other.
- Support your Neighborhood Watch program.
- Even if you are not sure, but have a suspicion....call the police tipline if you have any worries about illegal activity going on in your neighborhood.
- Call 911 right away if you see a crime happening!
These may seem like simple methods, but unfortunately not very many people actually put these to action.
PARENTS: We have given scouts the assignment to bring in a news clip of a crime that has happened in their neighborhood or city. They will sit down seperately with their scout counselor to discuss this clip, how it effects their community and possible solutions. This is part of their badge requirements.
Parents, please take the time to sit down with your scout (maybe before church since we don't start til 3pm) and share with them your thoughts and ideas about this merit badge. Help your scout find a news clip. An involved parent will create an involved scout.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Rent Canoes!
We did some searching on google and came across this website for Troop 410 here in Utah. They have 9 boats & trailer available for rent at $100 per weekend. 5 canoes & 4 Kayaks I believe, but it also includes over 20 life vest jackets!
For a large city group such as us, this is a great find! Here is the link to their website :) http://www.troop410.com/
p.s Only available to BSA groups.
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