Ideas, training, and tools for a great Scout program harnessing the power of screens.
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• Happening Live
• Adult Leader Resources
• Cub Scout Resources
• Scouts BSA Resources
• Venturing Resources
• Merit Badges
February is when we CELEBRATE SCOUTING! Scouts across the country get ready to collect food and show their communities the fun and values of Scouting. Here are new resources from leaders around the state to help you celebrate and deliver a great Scouting Program.
- Seventeen virtual merit badges including Eagle-required merit badges and others like Pulp and Paper and Reptile and Amphibian Study are being offered in Merit Badge University 2021 Virtual Edition. Registration opens on February 26th.
- Virtual merit badges continue courtesy of Barbara Oxford and some other great leaders in Northwest! A few spots are still available in the February Scouting Heritage session and March will be Chemistry.
- The highest a Scout can go is the Eagle Rank and getting this rank is always a cause to celebrate. Sign-up for February 10th Eagle Scout Project Coaching with Scoutmaster Eric Henderson to learn how to help your Scout reach this goal.
- Campfires and shows are part of Scouting and you can do these virtually when you need to. It’s Showtime is a complete Cub Scout meeting to help you put on a show with your Cubs.
- Get noticed during Scout month by making window clings to use on your car, front window, or wherever you want to show your Scout Spirit to the world.
Have questions, ideas or want to request general information?
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Happening Live
A listing of upcoming classes that require registration
Remote Beginning Leader Accelerated Success Training (BLAST) for Cub Scout Leaders
Beginning Leader Accelerated Success Training (BLAST) gives you a new way to become trained for your Cub Scout position. The training is two 90-min sessions. Trainers present content that is high energy and interactive, answer your questions and show you the amazing world of Cub Scouts as a leader. Anyone who registers by Monday, January 18, will receive class materials by mail. All registrants will receive additional materials electronically in advance of the class as well.
Dates:
March 11 & 18 – 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
BLAST Training Info
BLAST Registration
Live Committee Training
An active unit Committee is the difference between a Scout unit that works and one that is probably struggling. In just one hour, you can learn how Unit Committees work and what you can do to help your Scout unit, whether you are a Committee Chair, Treasurer, Advancement, or some other role on your Pack, Troop, or Crew committee.
Next Live Committee Training: TBA
Sign-up for this training to get the log-in information and receive resources from the instructor. If you have questions, please let me know!
On-Demand
Tools & resources available to you at any time.
Winter Wear, Sleep Systems, and Using Video with your Troop
Have Scouts who miss a meeting? Do you need parents to know what gear to purchase? Scoutmaster Katie Daughenbaugh explains how and why she uses video for some troop training and gives you two examples you can use to help get Scouts ready for winter with proper sleep systems and good winter wear.
Introduction Video
Winter Sleep Systems Video
Winter Wear Video
Google Classroom Intro 0:58
Cammie Edgar shows you how to use Google Classroom. This is a great tool for presenting merit badges and other training.
Google Classroom Screen Sharing Instructions
Google Classroom Finale
“It’s Showtime: Fun Cub Scout Virtual Meeting #2”
Here is another complete Cub Scout meeting experience that gives you new things to do on-line with your Cubs and helps them prepare and deliver a show! The video shows you how to use PowerPoint and ideas to customize this for your leader’s situation.
Its Showtime Resource Sheet
Its Showtime PowerPoint
Window clings are a removable sticker you put on windows or mirrors. This is an easy and fun project that uses minimal materials you can use in several ways. It is simple enough to do remotely with Cub Scouts and a great in-person activity.
S’mores Video: 6:07
Lighting matches can be tricky! Your Cub Scouts will have a great time practicing their match lighting skills and learn how to make a simple fire starter in this scrumptious activity.
Cub Program Planning 6:08
Sandra Dogiakos introduces us to new and useful tool to help plan your Cub Program. This resource is especially useful in areas where internet connectivity can be troublesome.
Check out her resource: https://trello.com/b/WKCFh5MZ/cub-scout-pack-plan-board/sandrak/recommend
Intro to Aquatics 1:52
A brief introduction on how to include aquatics as part of your Cub Scout programming.
Delivering Cub Scout Aquatics 14:56
Getting Cub Scouts in the water to earn an Aquatics Adventure is one of the best ways to deliver Fun with a Purpose. Too many children die in an accidental drowning, which is why BSA added water and boating safety content in these elective Adventures. We have video and great resources to help you get comfortable adding Aquatics to your Den, Pack, or District.
Aquatics Presentation
Aquatics Resources
Council Recruitment Resources
Every school and community is different and to be successful in recruiting, a variety of methods must be used. Here is a list of some of the best practices from all over the country. Take a look and find what will work best for your community.
Recruitment Ideas
National Recruitment Resources
National Links and Resources for Cub Adventures
Den Leader Tips & Tricks Video Series
Scout Skills 3:26
Scout Skill Course is a fun obstacle course with a purpose. Scouts learn or review skills, run off energy, and they can do it with a buddy. The Scout Skill course is perfect for recruiting events or meetings with new Scouts to help them learn the Oath and the Law. The video tells you how to do the skill course, and the Leader Resource sheet provides all the details including a sample course. A design sheet is an additional resource for you to use to make your own Skill Course.
Scout Skills Resources
Scout Skills Course Design Sheet
Glowing Water Ceremony 5:51
Shortly after recruiting comes celebrating the rank advancement of Bobcats! This video lets you experience the ceremony and see how it is prepared. Ceremonies make Scout memories and we hope you try this one for an extra special ceremony event.
Glowing Water Ceremony Resources
Talking Stick 3:34
Masks make it very hard to know who is talking. Luckily, you can use a Talking Stick to help your Cubs focus on the speaker. Talking Sticks also help teach courtesy and are easy to make. Watch the video and read the Leader Resources sheet to find out why and how to use a Talking Stick with your Cubs.
Talking Stick 4:19
Did you know that even before Cubs can use a pocketknife (Bears) that there is something else Cubs can use that also “cuts”? Find out what that is and how to have a fun meeting that also lets Cubs who have their Whittling Chip get some knife practice. This meeting includes excuses to laugh too with joke telling, so you have two ways to “cut-up” with your Scouts.
Yo-Yo Preview 4:14
Check out the preview adventure that gives Cub Scouts the opportunity to learn the concepts that make a yo-yo work and the basic physics of a pendulum. It will introduce the history of the toy and give Scouts the skills needed to get started with basic yo-yo tricks.
Cub Zoom 15:56
Ideas for a Fun Virtual Cub Scout Meeting
If you are a Cub Scout Leader who is ready to try a video meeting with your den or pack, you will enjoy a pre-packaged, ready to use “Fun Cub Scout Meeting” that also includes some adventure requirements but is mostly just fun.
Scouts BSA Resources
Why Wool Video 3:18
You can tell Scouts that cotton is rotten, but Aaron Weissman shows you how to experience this important lesson in this Troop or Crew activity.
New Virtual Training for Troop and Crews
In response to the needs of Youth Leaders in Troops and Crews, Scouting U has released two new virtual training programs for Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST), and Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews(ILSC). These new temporary instructional training programs are available by logging onto https://my.scouting.org and launching the BSA Learn Center. When the Learn Center opens you can select the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) or Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC) from Programs as applicable to you. Covering the same Learning Objectives as the face-to-face course, this course combines online and virtual components providing Troop / Crew Members an opportunity for completion in a socially distanced setting.
Bear Spray Practice 1:24
Bear Safety is part of Montana Scouting and actually shooting bear spray is the best way to learn how to use it in an emergency. Bear Spray training is a great use for all those expired bear sprays and your Scouts will have a great time with this activity.
Bloody Gloves 1:52
Blood is always good programming fun – when it is ketchup of course. Practicing taking off bloody gloves is fun and will help your Scouts be safe in the event they have contaminated gloves to remove.
Nature apps are a great way to use technology to help Scouts learn and appreciate what they are seeing outside. These three apps, PlantNet, PlantSnap, and iNaturalist are all easy to use and free. iNaturalist also does things like identify rocks and animals, so that is handy. Read the Leader Resource Sheet for details and add one of these Nature Apps to your unit’s adventures.
William T Hornaday Award 4:49
Did you know that this rare award can be earned by Scouts and Scouters? Only about 1100 Hornaday awards have ever been earned, but what a great accomplishment to contribute to conservation and become a Hornaday recipient. Learn more and see if this is a good time to work on a long-term, outdoor-focused award.
NATO Alphabet or Waffles 3:10
Scout remote calls need to be fun as well as productive, but it is easy to jump right to the “action” items and forget about the social, community building that is such an important part of Scouting. Here are two fun, social activities for Scouts BSA or Venture Scouts that work on remote calls OR during travel. One uses the NATO Alphabet in a code-decode game and the other is a group discussion and voting on things to keep, and things to vote off the planet forever. Watch the short video and read the Leader Resource sheet for details.
Gardening Promo 3:31
Cammie Edgar takes you through the process of how to earn the Gardening Merit Badge. This is a two-part series that can be completed at your own pace.
Citizenship in the World Intro 5:16
Citizenship in the World Merit Badge
Paul Gritz guides you through this four-part series on how to complete the Citizenship in the World Merit Badge. This is an Eagle-required badge that helps with that next step in your advancement.
Citizenship in the World Module 1
Citizenship in the World Module 2
Citizenship in the World Module 3
Citizenship in the World Module 4
Counselor Contact
Venturing Resources
Venturing – Fun Meeting Ideas 5:32
Looking for some creative ideas for upcoming meetings and activities? In this video, Dylan will share a few fun ideas with you that are rooted in Venturing’s ALPS Model. Adventure is going out into the world and stepping outside of your comfort zone; leadership is about leading and mentoring others; personal growth is about improving as an individual and as a team; and service, quite simply, is the gift we give others.
Why be Enthusiastic about Meeting Virtually Part II 12:32
How & Why to be Enthusiastic about Meeting Virtually Part II
This is the second video of a two-part video series dedicated to providing Venturers and Venturing Advisors with tips and tricks to improve their Venturing experience. Specifically, how to make use of SMART Goals and reorienting the group to complete short and long-term planning. In turn, you and your Crew will maximize your productivity so that you’re best prepared to tackle your favorite activities once you’re able to return to them!
Why be Enthusiastic about Meeting Virtually Part I 9:26
How & Why to be Enthusiastic about Meeting Virtually Part I
Dylan Notturno explains why virtual meetings are needed in today’s Venturing Program, how to be enthusiastic about it, and shares some great resources to make it easy and fun.
Merit Badges
Scouting Heritage Virtual Merit Badge
The Scouting Heritage merit badge introduces Scouts to the history of the Boy Scouts of America. They’ll learn it all—from Scouting’s beginnings under Lord Baden-Powell to the history of their own troop. Prerequisites and other information including how to contact course hosts are in the Scouting Heritage Class Info Sheet. Class is limited to 50 Scouts.
When: Thursday, February 4th & 18th 6 pm on ZOOM
Chemistry Virtual Merit Badge
The Chemistry merit badge covers lab equipment use and safety, includes experiments on interesting things like toothpaste and onions, and presents activities to understand the wider environmental ramifications of the chemical world of things. Prerequisites and other information including how to contact course hosts are in the Chemistry Class Info Sheet. Class is limited to 50 Scouts.
When: Thursday, March 4th & 18th 6 pm on ZOOM
MBU 2021 Virtual Edition: February 26, 2021 Start
Merit Badge University is going virtual this year! Merit Badges will be offered via Google Classroom. Merit Badges include in-class PowerPoint presentations and assignments that are submitted on-line. A completion notification will be emailed to the Scout once complete. There is NO CHARGE this year, so what a great opportunity!
Scoutmasters email Chris Robertson at cdscsrober@msn.com for a list of class codes for the merit badges. Merit badges will be available starting 2/26/2021. There is no restriction on the number of merit badges a Scout can work on or a deadline for completion.
The Merit Badges offered are:
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SBS Patch Program
SBS Patch Program 1:37
Check out the new SBS Patch program and learn how to earn your very own special patch. This patch is unique to the Montana Council and specific to the Screen Boosted Scouting program.
SBS Patch Requirements / Tracking Sheets
