Tip #201: Beefing Up Youth Protection
The biggest story in the sports world this fall was the child sex abuse scandal that has rocked Penn State athletics. If you’re like me, you’re probably sick of reading the sordid details of this scandal and the breathless condemnations and defenses of the various people involved. So why bring up Penn State in a Scouting context? Because we in Scouting can use this tragedy as a chance to revisit our commitment to youth protection... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2011-12-14It's Cookie Season!
At it's beginning, December brings with it the holiday season. Weather you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Yule, Kwanza or another observance, this time of year typically is bedecked with lights, holly, warm fires and (if you live near me) lots of snow. In my home, we are gearing up for another kind of season – Girl Scout cookie season! My little girl is in her first year of Daisies (the first level of GS, ages 5-7))... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2011-12-12Scout Greeting Cards
I am one of those annoying people who will stand in front of the greeting card display every year, trying to make up my mind as to which style really speaks to me and which style will say to others “This card totally represents that family!”. It’s just a silly card, right? If I’m lucky it will be saved or at least recycled, but more than likely it will land in the circular file (trash... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2011-12-05The Journey to Arrow of Light: Craftsman Badge
This weekend I worked with my youngest son on projects for his Craftsman badge in the Mental Skills series. (Unfortunately his brother is sick and couldn't join us.) While I am - if I do say so myself - pretty patient and very handy with tools, my boy is – well let’s just say he was a very excited 9-year-old who had his own hammer. He was very disappointed when I informed him the first... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2011-11-28The Journey to Arrow of Light: A Mom’s Perspective
If you have been reading my posts you already know both my boys are Webelos and are working toward their Arrow of Light award together. As their mom I want to push the boys to work hard to achieve their goal. I have to fight the urge to constantly remind them to skip playing with their friends and get back to work on whatever their current badge project is. But I know part of being... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2011-11-25Time Management and the Eagle Court of Honor
I don’t know about the Scouts in your troop, but the Scouts in my troop are busy—very busy. In order to offer them a little bit of scheduling sanity, we try to practice good time management whenever possible. For example, the troop doesn’t meet on the third Thursday of each month; instead, that night is reserved for patrol leaders’ council meetings and boards of review, freeing up at least one night a month for Scouts... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2011-11-23Youth Protection: Keep Your Guard Up!
I’m sure you’re already well aware of the (legally I have to use the term “alleged” but it sickens me to do so) abuse cases surrounding the assistant coach at Penn State. If not, my apologies but you’ll have to look it up; I’m not going to detail it here. The more I learn about this case the more nauseated I become and the more determined I am to keep my kids and all the... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2011-11-16Think, Believe, Dream, Dare
I hadn’t heard the following story until recently, but it’s really an inspiration. If I find myself in a situation that seems completely dark and hopeless (believe me, it’s been happening quite a bit lately), I think about this story and the lessons within it; I always seem to feel a little brighter and more positive after reading it. I hope you will get something from it too. An eight-year old boy walked up to... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2011-11-14Bobcat - We Earned it!
Admittedly, I didn't earn my Bobcat - both of my boys earned theirs. I am truly bursting with pride for them because I know how hard they worked to achieve this milestone in their Scouting path.They quizzed each other during our daily home/school commutes on the Cub Scout salute, the Scout handshake, the Boy Scout Promise and the Boy Scout Law. They read their handbooks without needing a reminder (mostly). Six months ago my boys... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2011-11-12Scouting for Food: A Good Turn
Blue door hangers are popping up everywhere this weekend, courtesy of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers and Explorer Scouts. These Scouts are taking part in a program called A National Good Turn; this program helps feed the hungry of America. My area Scouts are hanging the signs this weekend; other areas may have later (or earlier) dates.Here's how the program works: you place canned goods that you would like to donate in any paper or... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2011-11-09