Pack 338 News

In this issue

Calendar of Events
Wreath Sales 2009
A Note From our District Director
Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader!
Earning Webelos Activity Badges in Southern Minnesota
Photos from National Eagle Center

Calendar of Events

Tues, Nov 10th	Den Meetings  Time set by den leaders  St. John's 100 Wing Rooms
Fri, Nov 20th	Setup for Wreath Distribution   7:00 pm   St. John's Old Gym
Sat, Nov 21st	Wreath Unloading  6:00 am   St. John's Old Gym
Sat, Nov 21st	Wreath Distribution   9:00 am   St. John's Old Gym 9:00 - 9:30 am Tigers 9:30 - 10:00 am Wolves 10:00 - 10:30 am Bears 10:30 - 11:00 am Webelos   Cleanup immediately after distribution   Need lots of Volunteers to help!
Tues, Dec 1st	Pack Meeting  7:00 pm  St. John's Parish Center Wreath Prizes! Pinewood Derby cars handed out

    

Wreath Sales 2009

Colleen Roberge

A Note From our District Director

Aaron Nicklay
Dan Patch District Director
Northern Star Council, BSA
Direct: 763-231-7225
Fax: 763-231-7202

I wanted to share some information regarding the events that have been highly publicized in Burnsville regarding the Scoutmaster from Burnsville who was arrested, and charged with child sex crimes on October 21.
Hopefully the information here will help you as you get questions from the parents and other leaders in your units as well as the general public who know that you are a Scouter.
He was a volunteer with the BSA for several years, and is also active with other youth organizations in his community, including employment as a school bus driver, and significant volunteer time with his church.
He had no previously reported record of inappropriate behavior, or any criminal record.
Three of our staff members have met with the families in the troop along with law enforcement officials. We have been supportive of the investigation since first contact.
The statement prepared for the media and others is on our website at http://www.northernstarbsa.org/News.aspx?articleIDI5.
Director of Communications Kent York serves as the spokesperson for the council, and of course all media inquiries will should be directed to him: KYork@northernstarbsa.org; Direct Dial 763-231-7271.
Other talking points for Scouters and parents with questions are that we know there are predators within our society, but that children are safer in an organization that is vigilant, and that gives kids skills to know right from wrong. Further, that we are working with authorities to hold this person accountable, and to protect the community.
The context of our statement also serves to remind everyone that we have 20,000 local volunteers and 100,000 youth members - and that our highest priority is to keep children safe, no matter how rare these occurrences might be.
This incident offers a teachable moment. Everyone - leaders, parents, and young people themselves, should again review the pamphlet found in all our handbooks “How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.” Each offers age-appropriate scenarios and discussion points that reinforce real-world safety measures. Further resources, including online Youth protection Training and our “Guide to Safe Scouting” can be found on our website: northernstarbsa.org.
Through all of this, be sure not to lose sight of the important, positive influence you have on the children in our programs through your Scouting leadership. Kids and our community are counting on us. We do not have the ability to look into the eyes of every adult who volunteers with our organization and see into their mind and soul to find out if they are someone who would do something like this to our Scouts. We must instead rely on remaining always vigilant, following all of the rules of Safe Scouting, and making sure that all of our parents and leaders, as well as Scouts are as educated to recognize, resist, and report this kind of behavior as soon as possible.

If anyone has any questions, please let me know and I will be happy to help in any way possible.

Editor's Note: Please remember to read the pamphlet on child protection at the beginning of your child's scout book, and discuss it with your child. Also, be sure to complete the Youth Protection Training. This can be done on-line very quickly. If you need any help accessing the on-line training, please contact our pack Committee chair, Ken Walerius.

Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader!

Training shows new leaders how to do their jobs and allows for an interchange of ideas with more experienced leaders. Every Cub Scout deserves qualified, trained leaders who will provide the best program possible, the way it is intended. Trained leaders ensure that the goals of Cub Scouting are met. The leadership training program of the Boy Scouts of America provides this information and helps leaders become confident in carrying out their responsibilities.

Online Training: The BSA Online Learning Center provides a variety of materials, from quick references to complete courses, all designed to help our members improve leadership skills and deliver a quality program. Go to http://olc.scouting.org/ - this will take you to the BSA website - choose the Online Learning Center from the sidebar:

• This Is Scouting (replaces New Leader Essentials)
• Cub Scout Fast Start
• Safe Swim Defense and Safety afloat
• Youth Protection

           

New Requirements for

Leader Emblem

All registered Cub Scout leaders must now complete the following four training courses to earn the Trained Leader emblem:

• Fast Start Training for their position (online or instructor-led)
• Youth Protection Training (online or instructor-led)
• Cub Scout Leader Specific Training (for their position, instructor-led)
• This Is Scouting (replaces New Leader Essentials)

Earning Webelos Activity Badges in Southern Minnesota

Richie Diedrick

I found on a recent trip to southern Minnesota with my family that I could work on a large number of Webelos badge activities all in one short day, and have fun too. We went to Bluff County, which is Lanesboro/Harmony Minnesota and took in the caves also. I used a map to help navigate. That's a requirement for traveler. Niagara Cave fits in to the activity badge of geologist because of all of the rock formations. The geologist badge has several requirements that fit with this visit, including visiting and all the dated information about the cave and it's activities. In the cave we were even able to see fossils of algae and an old style squid which is called a cephlapod. The cave has a special cathedral style ceiling which they use for some weddings. Water created the entire cave, and it was found accidentally when a farmers pigs fell down a hole. The geologist and science badges, and possibly health and fitness as the air has less oxygen at the cave bottom and you had to climb around 300 steps to get there and back.

Visiting the Amish culture allowed us to do something for family member, citizenship, and traveler badges. We decided to make the trip as a family and found the life style simple. They are very involved with their own families to survive, where we are not as close as they are in families. They do not have electricity so they do a lot before sundown. We can keep working late at night. The trip and the way they travel, by horse, was a great comparison for our lives. As far as citizenship goes the Amish live lives of farmers and do not like outsiders around them. The Amish community all work together and live close so that they can support each other.

Photos From National Eagle Center

Den 7 recently visited the National Eagle Center in Wabasha. Here are some pictures: