Juliette Gordon Lowe, founder of Girl Scouts, is quoted as saying "Scouting rises within you and inspires you to put forth your best"
Putting forth your best requires your best outward actions. It also requires you to be able to look inward at yourself and your organization to make adjustments. It requires you ask yourself the following questions: Is there something I should start doing?, What's not working, what should I stop?, What is working and what should I continue doing?
The best time to ask those questions are generally at the conclusion of a project, activity, or even a campout. I know that Start, Stop, Continue isn't a fun or exciting activity at the end of a campout. It is an important tool that all of us, youth and adult scouters use to be able to make the next scouting activity better.
Being able to ask yourself those questions earnestly and answer them honestly will make you a better scout and leader. This skill will continue to benefit through your scouting career as well as your professional career.
By using Stop, Start, Continue as a tool we not only make scouting better current scouts. We also make 1396 better for future scouts.
I ask you after the next campout to look at Start, Strop, Continue with fresh eyes and a new perspective. Use it as a tool to improve your scouting experience.
A scout is helpful.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Scoutmaster Minute, 21 January 2025
I lived in Idaho for two years and would sometimes go to the town of Mountain Home for work. Despite its name, Mountain Home is not in the mountains, it is in the high desert. One can see the Rocky Mountains in the distance. It is interesting to note that Mountain Home was not the original name of the town. The area was first founded as "Rattlesnake Station" in 1864 as an Overland Stage Line stop between Salt Lake City, Utah and Walla Walla, Washington. As the area improved and more civilization sprouted around the stage stop, in 1877 the town was renamed "Mountain Home." It is not hard to recognize that this proved fortuitous, as many would take a hard pass at moving to a town called "Rattlesnake Station" whereas "Mountain Home" sounds like a place that draws one in.
Words have meanings. In our vocabulary we have kind words and not-so-kind words. Sometimes in anger, we might use one of those not-so-kind words to label someone. These labels sting and are often deal breakers in a friendship or any productive interaction, as they often sow the seeds of long-term resentment from the individual who is on the receiving end of the label. Let's endeavor to reserve our labels as kind if not flattering. By recognizing the best in one another, we perpetuate that which is good and encourage members of our society to work together.
A Scout is Kind.
Words have meanings. In our vocabulary we have kind words and not-so-kind words. Sometimes in anger, we might use one of those not-so-kind words to label someone. These labels sting and are often deal breakers in a friendship or any productive interaction, as they often sow the seeds of long-term resentment from the individual who is on the receiving end of the label. Let's endeavor to reserve our labels as kind if not flattering. By recognizing the best in one another, we perpetuate that which is good and encourage members of our society to work together.
A Scout is Kind.
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Scoutmaster Minute— January 14, 2025
Over the past week wildfires have engulfed the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Over 100,000 people have been displaced out of their homes. The fires have left homes in as smoldering piles in its wake. People displaced by the fires have lost everything.
In times like this communities rush to rally around those who have been affected by tragedy to help. One of the first things people will do is donate clothing and household items. While people who are displaced need clothing and household items. The influx and urge to be of assistance creates a secondary problem at relief sites. Relief sites don't have the space or the man-power to be able to process and store the physical items.
When a large disaster like this happens the needs of the people affected are complex and long term. In order to be able to be the most helpful in times like these the best thing you can do is ask What kind of help you need?
When you ask What type of help do you need, you are putting the needs of the other person a head of your need to help. It is important when you seek out to help others that you don't leave a secondary problem in your wake of helpfulness.
If you're offering help ask what type of help do you need. If you're ever in the position of needing help don't hesitate to be specific with what type of help you need.
A Scout is helpful.
In times like this communities rush to rally around those who have been affected by tragedy to help. One of the first things people will do is donate clothing and household items. While people who are displaced need clothing and household items. The influx and urge to be of assistance creates a secondary problem at relief sites. Relief sites don't have the space or the man-power to be able to process and store the physical items.
When a large disaster like this happens the needs of the people affected are complex and long term. In order to be able to be the most helpful in times like these the best thing you can do is ask What kind of help you need?
When you ask What type of help do you need, you are putting the needs of the other person a head of your need to help. It is important when you seek out to help others that you don't leave a secondary problem in your wake of helpfulness.
If you're offering help ask what type of help do you need. If you're ever in the position of needing help don't hesitate to be specific with what type of help you need.
A Scout is helpful.
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