June 2015 Newsletter

Core Value:  Courage

Scout Law:  Brave
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Supplemental Theme:  Under the Sea
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Upcoming Events

Basic Training: 
Old Ephraim District:  Sat, June 13, 8am – 12pm, 940 Three Point Ave, Logan
No other live basic training will be available until September.  In the meantime, here is the latest news from BSA:  The online training for den leaders, Cubmasters, committee chairs and members, and chartered organization representatives has been totally updated with help from volunteers from around the country. The new training will be divided into shorter, more targeted modules so leaders can get the training they need, in the order they want, any time they need it. The new training is organized around the learning needed prior to the first meeting, in the first 30 days, and to be position-specific trained. This new training was developed to be implemented in conjunction with the BSA’s new learning management system. The anticipated timing for launching this new tool is June 30, 2015. Keep an eye on MyScouting Tools (logging in through MyScouting.org ) for more information.

If you have already completed Basic Training, you do not need to retake it.  However, taking the new online training will be useful to get you oriented to the new program.

Akela's Council:  Sept. 11-12, Camp Fife.  Akela's Council is a supplemental training course for all Cub Scout leaders who want to gain a broader insight into the "how" and "why" of the Cub Scout program.  Cost is $65.
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Training Highlight:  It's More Fun Outdoors

Why Cub Scout Outdoor Activities?

When a boy and his family join Cub Scouting, they join an organization that values the fun and excitement of experiencing the outdoors. Each Cub Scout pack is encouraged to provide its youth members with enriching, positive outdoor experiences. Many boys experience their first organized outdoor adventure as a Cub Scout. Good planning using Cub Scouting guidelines should assure a positive experience. A successful outdoor program that meets the goals of the Cub Scout program will ensure that all activities are appropriate for the target age group. Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities and the Guide to Safe Scouting are both available on the BSA Web site.
In addition, apply these Cub Scouting program-specific criteria:

• The activity is parent/youth or family-oriented.
• The activity is conducted with adult supervision.
• The Cub Scouts are asked to do their best.
• The activity is discovery-based.
• Advancement occurs as a natural part of a well-planned program.

Two-Deep Leadership Required

It is the policy of the Boy Scouts of America that trips and outings may never be led by only one adult. Two registered adult leaders, or one registered adult leader and a parent of a participant, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required for all trips and outings. The chartered organization of any Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity Scout team, or Venturing crew has the responsibility to stress to the committees and leaders of the unit that sufficient adult leadership must be provided on all trips and outings.

Outdoor Activity Tips

• Obtain permission from parents or guardians for activities that are held away from the regular den and pack meeting places.
• File a tour plan if necessary. Check with your local council on its policies regarding field trips in your council.
• Be sure to have enough adult leaders for the activity.
• Check out the site before the activity. Check on reservation procedures, restroom facilities, availability of adequate drinking water, and any potential hazards.
• Use the buddy system. Coach the boys in advance on what to do if they get lost.
• Carry a first aid kit and know how to use it. Be prepared with emergency procedures.
• Arrange adequate and safe transportation.
• Always leave a site in its natural condition.

For additional information on specific activities not covered in this document, refer to Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities and the Guide to Safe Scouting.
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Patch of the Month:  Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award

Cub Scouts can earn the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award in each of the program years as long as the requirements are completed each year.  The first time the award is earned, the boy will receive the pocket flap award, which is to be worn on the right pocket flap of the uniform shirt.  Each successive time the award is earned, a Wolf Track pin may be added to the flap.  Leaders should encourage the boys to build on skills and experiences from previous years when working on the award for a successive year.
Requirements
All Ranks

• Attend Cub Scout day camp

Additionally, complete the rank specific requirements as follows:

Tiger Scouts

Complete the Backyard Jungle adventure, and complete four of the outdoor activities listed below.

Wolf Scouts

Complete the Paws on the Path adventure, and complete five of the outdoor activities listed below.

Bear Scouts

Complete the Bear Necessities adventure, and complete six of the outdoor activities listed below.

Webelos Scouts

Complete the Webelos Walkabout adventure, and complete seven of the outdoor activities listed below.

Outdoor Activities

These activities must be in addition to any similar activities counted toward rank advancement and can be accomplished as a family, a den, or a pack.

• Participate in a nature hike in your local area.  This can be on an organized, marked trail, or just a hike to observe nature in your area.
• Participate in an outdoor activity such as a picnic or a fun day in a park.
• Explain the buddy system, and tell what to do if lost.  Explain the importance of cooperation.
• Attend a pack overnighter.  Be responsible by being prepared for the event.
• Complete an outdoor service project in your community.
• Complete a nature/conservation project in your area.  This project should involve improving, beautifying, or supporting natural habitats.  Discuss how this project helped you to respect nature. 
• Participate in your pack's earning the Summertime Pack Award.
• Participate in a nature observation activity.  Describe or illustrate and display your observations at a den or pack meeting.
• Participate in an outdoor aquatics activity.  This can be an organized swim meet or just a den, pack, or family swim.
• Participate in an outdoor campfire program.  Perform in a skit, sing a song, or take part in a ceremony.
• Participate in an outdoor sporting event.
• Participate in an outdoor Scouts Own or other worship service.
• Explore a local city, county, state, or national park.  Discuss with your den how a good citizen obeys park rules.
• Invent an outside game, and play it outside with friends for 30 minutes.

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Resource of the Month:  Safe Swim Defense

BSA groups shall use Safe Swim Defense for all swimming activities. Adult leaders supervising a swimming activity must have completed Safe Swim Defense training within the previous two years. Safe Swim Defense standards apply at backyard, hotel, apartment, and public pools; at established waterfront swim areas such as beaches at state parks and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes; and at all temporary swimming areas such as a lake, river, or ocean. Safe Swim Defense does not apply to boating or water activities such as waterskiing or swamped boat drills that are covered by Safety Afloat guidelines (these activities are not approved for Cub Scouts). Safe Swim Defense applies to other nonswimming activities whenever participants enter water over knee deep or when submersion is likely, for example, when fording a stream, seining for bait, or constructing a bridge as a pioneering project. . Because of concerns with hyperventilation, competitive underwater swimming events are not permitted in Scouting.
Safe Swim Defense training may be obtained from the BSA Online Learning Center at www.scouting.org. Confirmation of training is required on tour and activity plans for trips that involve swimming.

Safe Swim Defense training covers the following topics:

• Qualified Supervision
• Personal Health Review
• Safe Area
• Response Personnel (Lifeguards)
• Lookout
• Ability Groups
• Buddy System
• Discipline

If you plan on getting wet this summer, make sure to get trained!

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Scouting Outing:  Get Wet!

Swimming

Before a BSA group may engage in swimming activities of any kind, a minimum of one adult leader must complete Safe Swim Defense training (online at myscouting.org), have a commitment card (No. 34243) with them, and agree to use the eight defenses in this plan. The Safe Swim Defense plan applies to swimming at a beach, private or public pool, wilderness pond, stream, lake, or anywhere Scouts swim.
The following information is specific to Cub Scout swimming activities:

• If the swimming activity is in a public facility where others are using the pool at the same time, and the pool operator provides guard personnel, there may be no need for additional designation of Scout lifeguards and lookout.
• The buddy system is critically important, however, even in a public pool. Remember, even in a crowd, you are alone without protection if no one is attentive to your circumstances.
• The rule that people swim only in water suited to their ability and with others of similar ability applies in a pool environment. Most public pools divide shallow and deep water, and this may be sufficient for defining appropriate swimming areas.
• Aquatics activities for dens often are held in backyards with swimming pools. Safe Swim Defense guidelines must apply. A certified lifeguard, though highly recommended, is not required. A qualified supervisor must be present. It is critical that the swimming activity be supervised by a conscientious adult who knowingly accepts the responsibility for the youth members involved in the activity.

Boating

Before a BSA group may engage in any watercraft activity, adult leaders for such activity must complete Safety Afloat training, have a commitment card, and be dedicated to full compliance with all nine points of Safety Afloat (available at myscouting.org). Through enforcement of these nine measures, most watercraft accidents can be prevented. At least one of the adult leaders must be trained in CPR.
The following information is specific to Cub Scout boating activities:

• Supervision—the ratio of adult supervisors to participants is one to five.
• Skill Proficiency—Canoeing, rowboating, and rafting for Cub Scouts (including Webelos Scouts) is limited to council/district events on flat-water ponds or controlled lake areas free of powerboats and sailboats. Prior to recreational canoeing, Cub Scouts are to be instructed in basic handling skills and practices.
• Planning—Canoeing, rowboating, and rafting do not include "trips" or "expeditions" and are not to be conducted on running water (i.e., rivers or streams); therefore, some procedures are inapplicable. Suitable weather requires clear skies, no appreciable wind, and warm air and water.
• PFDs—All persons engaged in activity on the open water must wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs).
• Scuba—Youth members in Cub Scouting are not authorized to use scuba in any activity.

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