Opportunities for Advancement

Dear Scouts,

We kicked off the Family Life Merit Badge training this week and have started to pick chores, family project and individual project. This is a family favorite for sure, and we look forward to continuing the discussion. Like any and all merit badges, it’s important to read the requirements carefully, especially instructions that say, “with your Merit Badge Counselor or SM approval” as this usually means “ask first.” Also, note where it says “discuss,” this means be prepared to have a dialog about the topic, not just filing out the workbook. It’s good discipline to write it down first because it helps you frame up what you are trying to say. Good luck and see you next Tuesday.

Thanks to many scouts and to Mr. Galluccio and Mr. Rzepczynski for helping with the (Drop-Off) Swap-Off. I think we were short scouts and adults and I only heard from a couple of you that were unable to make it. Let’s do better here with supporting this and each other because it often falls on the few who show up to do the work. I heard we got a bow saw and some other neat stuff all while helping our fellow Concordians unload gear.

We had a Troop Committee meeting Tuesday, back to our regular schedule; we welcome all parents to attend these meetings. This month, we discussed a number of good topics like recruitment and parent meetings, trips and upcoming activities; and even how we manage our shared drive, and we always need help and welcome input. One of the strengths of our troop is the involvement from many who make the job easier and create great scouting opportunities for us all.

Advancement:
Here's some tips for scouts for advancement. We as a troop are not pushing you to advance but our job is to provide opportunity and show you the way as a boy led troop. Our goal is to have good scouts being those that follow the oath and law. If you advance terrific because even if you just go camping and meetings you will learn and in most cases have sign-off on many of the requirements up to the rank of First Class.

First Class rank is a great goal because you then benefit from being able to go on high adventure trips and taking on positions of responsibility. Let me share some tips:

1. Share your scout book sign off pages and requirements with your parents. Let them into all the things you have done and working on. Maybe they can help!
2. You don’t need to go in order. Sometimes you can earn and complete a First Class requirement while at Scout or Tenderfoot rank. Look over the requirements and be tested by your patrol leader or ASPL, SPL. They are all here to help.
3. Don’t get stuck. It’s easy to do. Ask for some help at a camping trip or at meetings. Tell your patrol leader what you need and what you are working on like cooking. Volunteer to do the cooking at the next trip!
4. Bring your book with you on all events (and take pictures of your requirements)
5. Update service hours, camping nights, bike trips, hikes in your book. That’s what its for. This should serve you well in the future.

These are just a few tips. The other one I would recommend is focus on advancements over merit badges for the first couple years in scouting. Get your basics down and if you can handle more, great, sign up for a merit badge.

Ok, remind your parents we are having a Parent Meeting next Tuesday (Oct 10). We also need to move the scheduled Court of Honor to November 14 to accommodate some scheduling. This gives you a little more time to work on advancement!
Until then, enjoy the weekend and “Do you good turn daily.” Also, invite a friend to scouting or an event. Think about that!

Mr. Duggan, Scoutmaster