SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013

Launch - Roundtable - Fantastic


From what I could tell, there were 59 people who signed in. Not every one signs in each month. Elvis counted about 65. So we did very well. There were 22 units on the roster. There was at least 4 venturing groups, 3 of which signed up under another unit or function. Many of us represent more than one unit. A pack may have represented it's brother troop as well. Also there was the OA Chapter Advisor and OA Lodge Chief. They are always welcome.

Best of all !!!!!!!!!

A brand new unit started the charter process Thursday night at Roundtable. That is one way to get them to start to come.

If that doesn't say we had a fantastic launch, nothing does.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013

Eagles on your trailer



A couple of weeks ago, I was driving one of the Interstate Highways in Ohio or North Carolina, I don’t remember which it was, now. I had stopped at one of my favorite eateries. You know, the one with the golden archers. Even a guy of 103 years, enjoys a good hamburger, fries and a soda pop. Well, my stomach was full and I was headed for my car when I spotted one of those enclosed red trailers pulled by a pick up truck. It was bright red and as shiny as a new penny. On the side I saw written “Troop 689, from some place in Indiana.” Below that was their sponsors name, and under that it said “Eagle Honor Roll” and listed a dozen or more names.


Those dozen names must have been very important to Troop 689 to have them so proudly displayed in the Gold paint on the side of that red trailer. For a troop to advance a dozen scouts to Eagle, it must have taken at least fifteen or twenty years.


Maybe some day you may be going down the Interstate and you will pass by a Red enclosed trailer and maybe it will have “Troop 62” written on it and in gold letters there will be my name in the Eagle Roll of Honor or maybe you will see such a trailer with your name or your son’s name proudly displayed on it.


I just thought it was a pretty nice way for a troop to remember those who made Eagle and that they were proud of each scout.


Chic

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2011

The Sweet Sixteen of BSA Safety

Few youth organizations encompass the breadth, volume and diversity of physical activity common to Scouting, and none enjoy a better safety record. The key to maintaining and improving this exemplary record is the conscientious and trained adult leader who is attentive to safety concerns.
As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in Scout activity, the BSA National Health & Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council have developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgement and common sense, are applicable to all activities.

1. QUALIFIED SUPERVISION
Every BSA activity should be supervised by a conscientious adult who understands and knowingly accepts responsibility for the well-being and safety of the children and youth in his or her care. The supervisor should be sufficiently trained, experienced and skilled in the activity to be confident of his/her ability to lead and to teach the necessary skills and to respond effectively in the event of an emergency. Field knowledge of all applicable BSA standards and a commitment to implement and follow BSA policy and procedures are essential parts of the supervisor's qualifications.
2. PHYSICAL FITNESS
For youth participants in any potentially strenuous activity, the supervisor should receive a complete health history from a health care professional, parent or guardian. Adult participants and youth involved in higher-risk activity (e.g., scuba) may require professional evaluation in addition to the health history. The supervisor should adjust all supervision, discipline and protection to anticipate potential risks associated with individual health conditions. Neither youth nor adults should participate in activity for which they are unfit. To do so would place both the individual and others at risk.
3. BUDDY SYSTEM
The long history of the "buddy system" in Scouting has shown that it is always best to have at least one other person with you and aware at all times as to your circumstances and what you are doing in any outdoor or strenuous activity.
4. SAFE AREA OR COURSE
A key part of the supervisor's responsibility is to know the area or course for the activity and to determine that it is well-suited and free of hazards.
5. EQUIPMENT SELECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Most activity requires some specialized equipment. The equipment should be selected to suit the participant and the activity and to include appropriate safety and program features. The supervisor should also check equipment to determine that it is in good condition for the activity and is properly maintained while in use.
6. PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT
The supervisor must ensure that every participant has and uses the appropriate personal safety equipment. For example, activity afloat requires a PFD properly worn by each participant; bikers, horseback riders, and whitewater kayakers need helmets for certain activity; skaters may need protective gear; and all need to be dressed for warmth and utility depending on the circumstances.
7. SAFETY PROCEDURES AND POLICIES
For most activities there are common sense procedures and standards that can greatly reduce the risk. These should be known and appreciated by all participants, and the supervisor must ensure compliance.
8. SKILL LEVEL LIMITS
There is a minimum skill level requirement for every activity, and the supervisor must identify and recognize this minimum skill level and be sure that none are put at risk by attempting activity beyond their ability. A good example of skill levels in Scouting is the venerable "swim test" which defines conditions for safe swimming based on individual ability.
9. WEATHER CHECK
The risk factors in many outdoor activities vary substantially with weather conditions. These variables and the appropriate response should be understood and anticipated.
10. PLANNING
Safe activity follows a plan that has been conscientiously developed by the experienced supervisor or other competent source. Good planning minimizes risks and also anticipates contingencies that may require emergency response or a change of plan.
11. COMMUNICATIONS
The supervisor needs to be able to communicate effectively with participants as needed during the activity. Emergency communications also need to be considered in advance for any foreseeable contingencies.
12. PERMIT AND NOTICES
BSA tour permits, council office registration, government or landowner authorization, and any similar formalities are the supervisor's responsibility when such are required. Appropriate notification should be directed to parents, enforcement authorities, landowners, and others as needed, before and after the activity.
13. FIRST AID RESOURCES
The supervisor should determine what first aid supplies to include among the activity equipment. The level of first aid training and skill appropriate for the activity should also be considered. An extended trek over remote terrain obviously may require more first aid resources and capabilities than an afternoon activity in the local community. Whatever is determined to be needed should be available.
14. APPLICABLE LAWS
BSA safety policies generally parallel or go beyond legal mandates, but the supervisor should confirm and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations or statutes.
15. CPR RESOURCE
Any strenuous activity or remote trek could present a cardiac emergency. Aquatic programs may involve cardiopulmonary emergencies. The BSA strongly recommends that a CPR-trained person (preferably an adult) be part of the leadership for any BSA program. Such a resource should be available for strenuous outdoor activity.
16. DISCIPLINE
No supervisor is effective if he or she cannot control the activity and the individual participants. Youth must respect their leader and follow his or her direction.

In addition to these general rules, safety concerns in certain BSA activities, including most of the aquatics programs, have been specifically addressed in more detailed guidelines. All leaders should review and comply with such guidelines in the respective activities.
These include:
Swimming (all in-the-water activity) - Safe Swim Defense, No. 34370
Boating (all activity afloat) - BSA Safety Afloat, No. 34368
Boardsailing BSA Award Application, No. 20-935
Winter Sports - Health & Safety Guide, No. 34409, Guide to Safe Scouting, No. 34416
Cycling - Bike Safe, Health & Safety Guide, No. 34409
Skating - Health & Safety Guide, No. 34409
Snorkeling - Safe Swim Defense, Snorkeling Award application, No. 19-176
Guide to Safe Scouting, No. 34416
Camp Health & Safety, No. 19-308
Venturing Reference Guide, No. 25-202
Watersking - Safe Swim Defense, BSA Safety Afloat, Camp Program and Property Management, No. 20-920, Section IV

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/healthandsafety/sweet16.aspx

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 08, 2011

There is an app for that!

What do you do if one of your Cubbies ask, "Mr. Wilson, what kind of tree is that?"

Unless you are traveling with Bob Rheinhardt or Joel Richardson, who knows all of that stuff, you might not have an answer.

But, there is an app for that!

http://leafsnap.com/

"Scientists have developed the first mobile app /to identify plants by
simply photographing a leaf. /The free iPhone and iPad app, called
Leafsnap, instantly searches a growing library of leaf images amassed by
the Smithsonian Institution. In seconds, it returns a likely species
name, high-resolution photographs and information on the tree's flowers,
fruit, seeds and bark."

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2011

W. D. Boyce New Unit Award

One of the most well known story in scouting is about the British Boy Scout leading William D. Boyce through the London fog.

When Boyce returned to the United States, he helped to organize the Boy Scout movement in this country.

The BSA has developed a program to help you establish a new unit. Named after it’s founder, the William D. Boyce New Unit Organizer Award recognizes the founder or organizer of a new unit. For more information download the guide lines at .

This 36 page manual shows you the twelve steps an organizer goes through to organize a unit. No you don’t do it all by yourself. You get help at the community, district and council level.

Setting up a new unit shouldn’t be done in days or weeks. The Unit Organizer needs to make a commitment to the unit for at least six months or longer.

With the help of the District Executive, you talk to a potential organization about setting up a unit. You meet with the head of the organization and a group of adults interested in providing scouting in their area. This group becomes the core of your unit. From it comes the unit committee and leaders.

The District Training Committee makes sure your leaders become trained.

The Unit Commissioner becomes another part of the team. He or she provides experience, resources and assistance. When there are problems, the Commissioner helps to resolve them.

With the Commissioner, the DE can explain any BSA or council/district policies and programs.

Once you have the bones of the unit, it is time to start recruiting scouts. You may meet with the families within the organization or community to explain the benefits of scouting and invite them to become a part of the new unit.

The organizer helps organize programs and events. He or she encourages outdoor activities and advancement.

Just like “it takes a village to raise a child”, it takes a number of dedicated volunteers to grow a strong unit. The William D. Boyce New Unit Organizer Award guides you through the process.





(C) Richard Curran 2011

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2011

Three key people on the district committee

District Keys Awarded

At the May Chicora District Roundtable Joel Richardson, Bob Reinhardt and Jim Baker, received the District Key for their long service to the District Committee.

The District Key is similar to the Scouter’s Key and the Commissioner Key. It requires at least three years of tenure, activities within the District Committee and attendance at District Committee meetings. Joel and Jim served on Activities Committee and as the Outdoor Committee Chairman. Bob has been the Chairman of a large Training Committee for the past eight or more years. All three have earned the District Award of Merit and Joel and Bob have earned the Silver Beaver.

These three guys deserve a big pat on the back for all they have done for Chicora District.

SATURDAY, APRIL 02, 2011

Dome Oven

I frequent the Lodge Outlet Store here in Myrtle Beach regularly. It gives me a chance to look at products and pick up some good buys on seconds. The other day I took a look at there 14” Pizza Pan/griddle and I got an Idea. I took one home and put it on top of my volcano 2 grill. It fits very nicely on the 12” round grill. I took some refrigerated pizza dough and spread it out on the greased pizza pan and added a couple of toppings. Now comes the great idea. I have one of their cast iron woks which I really love. I took the dome lid and placed it on top of the Pizza Pan. It fits snuggly within the inner lip of the pan as if it were designed for that purpose. I baked the pizza inside this oven. It worked great. The heat came up from the grill, through the Pizza Pan and was trapped within the dome. I don’t think it would work with a skillet. I don’t think the dome would fit and seal as well as it does with the Pizza Pan.


I went back to the store and told them what I had done. They were excited too. We thought of ways we could use my new oven. Here are some of the ideas:

1. Use it as a warming oven. Keep your pancakes, eggs, and bacon, warm over low heat.

2. Bake breakfast breads and biscuits or dinner rolls using refrigerator biscuit dough.

3. To keep bacon or sausage grease from splattering or flaring up.

4. To bake corn bread in a 9” round aluminum pan.

5. To make bread sticks using pizza dough or to make your own pretzels. Oil the pan well and let the dough fry within the oil.

6. Put a cup of water in the middle and steam hot dog rolls or hamburger buns.

7. You could use it to melt cheese on sandwiches or hoagies. Or, toast rolls and put sandwich fixings into the toasted roll.

There must be a lot more ideas that you can think up.


© Richard Curran March 2011

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2011

A Great Cookbook

I don’t usually do book reports, but I got this book at the Lodge store, and it is very good. “The Scout’s Outdoor Cookbook” by Christine and Tim Connors is a 350 page cookbook. The authors took recipes from numbers of recipes from Boy and Girl Scouters for cooking items in a Dutch oven, pie iron, cook pot, or in aluminum foil. The book is divided into breakfast, lunch, dinner, breads, drinks, snacks and deserts. Each recipe indicates skill level, things you will need (cook pot, Dutch oven...), ingredients, some tips, and how many people can be served. Most recipes are patrol sized.

This is a great book to keep in your “Chuck Box” or to use to make your menu for an up coming event. Some recipes are pretty fancy but most are foods your troop, or pack mates would enjoy.

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2011

Chicora Earned Quality District Award at Pee Dee Area Council Awards Banquet

Last night was another awesome council scout banquet honoring the 2010 Eagle
scouts and the Silver Beaver Recipients for 2011.

The Silver Beaver recipients from Chicora: Alan Clemmons and James McIlrath,
Henry Shelor: William Reed and Dave Yeager, and Atakwa: Chris Taylor.

Chicora District earned the Quality District Award!

Santee Lodge earned the Quality Lodge Award!

Congratulations to all!

Thank you for all you do in your units and our district to help the district
win the Quality District Award.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2010

Merit Badge Requirements

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges.aspx

Learn about the BSA merit badge program and see the latest requirements for each badge. All 127 merit badges.