Scout Law: Cheerful
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Theme: Abracadabra
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Elkhorn District Roundtable Blog: elkhorncubs.blogspot.co
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LDS Scouting Handbook: https://www.lds.org/
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Upcoming Events
Basic Training
Elkhorn: Saturday, January 13, 8-11 am, 110 S Main, Millville.
Old Juniper: Thursday, February 22, 6:30 pm, Hyde Park Stake Center (42 W 200 S, Hyde Park). Thursday, April 12, 6:30 pm, LDS building (79 E 200 S, Smithfield).
Scouting for Food: March 12-16. Bags will be available at the _____ Roundtable.
Cub Swim Day: Friday, April 20-Saturday, April 21, Mountain Crest High School Pool. Each session is 1 1/2 hours long. Friday's sessions are at 6 and 7pm, Saturday sessions at 1, 2, 3, and 4 pm. Register at trappertrails.org/EH-csd. Cost is $2.50 per Cub.
Cub Bike Rodeo: Saturday, May 5, Fort Buenaventura, Ogden. Come and practice your biking skills with an obstacle course and ride on the Centennial Trail. Registration will be from 7:30- 8, event will be from 8-12. Cost: $5 per Cub or Cub age family member (a late fee of $2 will be applied on the 23rd of April). Sign up as a Den, Pack or Family. There will be activities for everyone, with a special competition for Cubs. Be prepared to ride at least 5 miles.
10 Commandments Hike: Saturday, May 12. Scouts from around the Council will hike to 10 different faith communities to learn how the 10 Commandments are practiced in their lives and faiths, and see how they parallel the values found in the Scout Oath and Law.
Scout-O-Rama: Please note that this event has been moved to September 7-8.
Leave No Trace Trainer Course: Friday, March 23- Saturday, March 24, 6pm-6pm, Fruit Heights. Cost is $35 ($40 a week before the course), covering 3 meals, and materials. Register online at trappertrails.org/
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Training Highlight: The Aims and Methods of Scouting
The Scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly referred to as the Aims of Scouting. They are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. The way in which we accomplish these aims are referred to as the Methods of Scouting. These are: Ideals, Patrols, Outdoor Programs, Advancement, Association with Adults, Personal Growth, Leadership Development, and Uniform.
Which of the above methods is the most important? The answer is all of them. Sometimes we focus on one or more methods in particular, especially Advancement. However, each of these methods is equally important in fulfilling the Aims of Scouting, leading to a well-rounded, prepared individual.
How can we achieve these Aims? Here are a few ideas:
*Regularly reciting the Scout Oath and Scout Law can help internalize the ideals that contribute to developing positive character traits.
*Camping and other outdoor activities can help to develop participatory citizenship.
*Practicing leadership among one's peers helps to develop citizenship skills.
*The physical fitness elements of the advancement program set the foundation for developing lifelong fitness habits.
When you're planning den and pack meetings, ask yourself
*"How does our unit program work toward achieving the aims of Scouting?"
*"How does our unit use the methods of Scouting to help achieve the aims of Scouting?"
*"What importance does our unit place on striving toward achieving those aims?"
The Journey to Excellence program can be an important tool in helping our units to actively use the aims and methods of Scouting as we plan and engage with the boys we work with.
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Resource Highlight: Cub Scout Magic
If you want to make your pack meeting as magical as possible, then this is the resource for you. This book contains tricks for aspiring magicians of all ages- including the Cubmaster. And who knows? The next master magician just may be in your pack!
Contains more than 200 stunts, tricks and puzzles. Softbound edition. $10.99.
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Award Highlight: Journey to Excellence
Journey to Excellence, or JTE, began in January 2011 as a replacement to the Quality Unit Award. JTE uses a predetermined, nationally established minimum level of expected unit performance. A balanced approach and key performance indicators measure outcomes from our programs, not just process, with increased emphasis on the youth experience in the units.
JTE is designed to help your unit deploy a great program. JTE assesses key elements of unit success such as: Advancement, Outdoor Activities, Service projects, Training, Pack and Den Meetings, and Fitness (there are a total of 13 objectives). The goal is to see improvement in your unit over many years, with improvements each year in the key areas where your scores were not at the top level. Each year the forms are updated, and the minimum expectations at each level also increase, in line with expectations for continuous improvement.
JTE is more than a scorecard for the award. It serves many functions in your unit. A forward-thinking leader might use it as: a framework for planning; a method for evaluating your unit; an assessment of how you're doing compared with other units; a guide to identifying areas where you might execute your unit program better; an early warning of potential problem areas; a benchmark for ideas and tips from other good units in your district. Review the JTE form for the upcoming program year at a unit committee meeting. Use it to help set goals for the program year ahead. Mark those goals complete as you progress through the year. At year end, your JTE form will be complete, and it will reflect the progress you made during the year. Tracking your progress enables your unit to plan for success by building on your strengths and improving your weaknesses until you are consistently achieving the Gold award level.
BSA Journey to Excellence website: www.scouting.org/Awards/
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