Red Belly

The new Kawida 2008 standard issue flap was available for the first time over the weekend. It seems that the "red belly" is a keeper.

We have had blue bellies and white bellies, so the red belly was a natural. The improved beak design, with traditional colors does make it a sharp looking patch.

If we ever get to the point that we are afraid to do anything, then we can make a "yellow belly"!

Full Scouting Weekend!

The Kawida Spring Fellowship over the weekend went great!

Don and Billy had a very cold and wet Vigil experience, but they received the highest honor and are deserving. Andy Smith was supposed to go through, but was very ill and couldn't attend this weekend.

The food, fellowship, and fun made the event at McKee wonderful.

Maybe we should consider putting FFF on on next year's flap?

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We get home Sunday around 12:30, just enough time to shower and put on a clean uniform, and to be part of Andy Smith's Eagle Scout Ceremony at 3:00.

Andy was feeling better, but a bit nervous. The Ceremony went great.

He is the last of the old Troop 10 Scouts that joined 12 and made Eagle.

Congratulations to Andy Smith and good luck at EKU this fall!

Big Changes

My first Executive Board meeting last evening, was historic. It was decided to sell our current office on North Broadway in Lexington, KY and purchase a new and better office on Richmond Road. This has been greatly needed for a long time. It will help all of us and I'm excited.

Along with a new office, we just might get that new shower house at McKee we have all been wanting. I say "might", because it will take some serious financial help.

There are several businesses here in the "Hills" that can help make this a reality. Help me with a name or 2 that could make our Scouting world a better place.

Red and Whites

There is a hot item on Ebay. A red and white Blue Grass Council strip.

Before all of the multi colors and sized Council strips, the BSA used Community and State strips that were red with white lettering. About the only folks who wore a Red and White Council patch, were professional Scouters.

The final price from Ebay on this jewel, $109.00!

No More Dirt

It looks like our Council has been allocated 2 Troops, with the possibility of a 3rd, to attend the 2010 National Jamboree. That isn't a big surprise. We have taken 2 Troops (36 Scouts and 4 adults) to Fort A.P. Hill for a long time.

The problem will be, that 200 folks will want those 80 spots. The 100th anniversary of the BSA at the National Jamboree will be a big draw.

A big Scout Salute, in advance, to our Council's selection committee.

I'm sure that we could easily take 5 Troops, but there is no more dirt.

FOS Dinner

Charles Baird, hosted the annual Friends of Scouting dinner last evening at the Expo Center. Big crowd this year. Lots of Scouts and Scouters.

Charles ( Silver Beaver 2005) and his late father, Bill, Sr. ( Silver Beaver 1959) have been helping raise money for Scouting for a very long time. A wonderful family tradition.

Every year, they honor one individual. This year, I drew the short straw. It was very nice and I thank everyone. Kind of like, being alive to see who attends your own funeral.

This time next week, it will not matter who was honored. What will matter, is that Scouting will continue, due to the fact that so many people, financially support Scouting here in eastern Kentucky.


http://www.news-expressky.com/articles/2008/03/20/everyday_living/02boyscout.txt

T-Shirtsssssssss

A new Lodge T-shirt design is floating around. Some like it, some don't.

I've personally got 2 drawers full of Scout T-shirts. Designs ranging from strange to very nice. Colors from pink to black.

The way I see it, if the majority of our voting youth members like it, I'll buy 1 and wear it. It doesn't matter. We are all wearing the same shirt. The important thing is what it represents.

Eagle Project

Michael Shepherd finished his Eagle Project today. He chose to help the Pike Co. Domestic Violence Center. They were in need of shelving and a total reorganization of their donated items.

Michael planned, and under his leadership, built the shelving and organized a crew of 18 to help move a ton of stuff. 18 folks is the largest number Troop 12 has ever had for any Service Project.

Excellent project for a good cause.

Elkhorn Elections

I ventured up to Elkhorn City last night. (I have a hard time getting that up vs. down part right. Elkhorn is due south of Pikeville, so you would think "down", but the river starts there and travels here, so actually you are going "up" the river.)

Troop 822, Doug Ramey and the boys wanted to do their Camp Promo and O.A. Election last night. Doug told me before the meeting that they have 10 active registered Scouts.

All 10 were there, plus 2 new recruits, from a rally that Jeremy did!

Now, I'm just trying to figure out how to do the paperwork, so that I don't get a call from Mike Warman. A good problem to have indeed.

Online Learning Center

One of the many things that the BSA does well, is the quality of it's trainings. It is a never ending process. There is always a new way, better way, or safer way to do Scouting.

I really like the Online Learning Center. I've taken all of the courses that they offer. Scouters can log in, take a course at their leisure, and be sure that they are certified in whatever they take.

They even have some youth courses, like Venturing Crew Orientation.

Youth Protection is required annually, so you might as well do it. Today is the first day of spring. Time to go camping!

http://olc.scouting.org/

Here's Venturing

I've been trying to jump start some Venturing in our Council lately. It has been tough so far! I guess when something as new as Venturing is, no one has time to be bothered with it.

We've seen Venturing work in Crew 12. It has helped keep all of our older Scouts stay active and challenged. Heck, we have 3 guys that are heading to college this fall, and plan to stay active. How many Troops can say that?

When all else fails, read the book. I got my hands on the book. Watch out!

http://www.scouting.org/Venturing.aspx

Sad News

Alan's father passed away yesterday. May the Great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with the Watts' family.

Vinson Alan Watts Sr.

1929 - 2008

PMT Hike

Troop 12 and Troop 93 (Lexington) are combing forces to go to Philmont in June. We did the first of 3 prep hikes on Saturday. The Pioneer Mountain Trail, 11.8 miles, took us 5 hours to complete.

I was very pleased with every one's performance. All of the guys worked very well together.

The next morning, I was like the Greek God, Thor.

I was so Thor, I could hardly walk!

Happy Hikers!

Backpacking

Philmont is just around the corner and it is time to get in "backpacking shape". I haven't strapped on a pack in a long time, so if I don't make it, bury me deep.

We are headed to McKee this weekend to do our first prep hike on the Pioneer Mountain Trail. Equipment wise, I think I am ready. Of course, it is supposed to rain. Whenever Troop 12 goes out, it rains.

Advancement wise, the guys are earning their Backpacking Merit Badge and working on the Backpacking requirement in Venturing.

Old Pic

Our Council web site has a new look. If you look very closely, there is an old picture of Pack 12, Den 4.

That image brings back a lot of memories. We were circled up around the Elementary School flag and one of our Armed Forces group was supposed to perform the flag ceremony. They didn't show and 5 minutes before we were supposed to start, someone whispered to ask if the Scouts could do it. We did and it was great. Even made the front page of the newspaper.

I've said this a thousand times, but it is true.

I'm always proud of our Scouts, but I'm moved when they do a flag ceremony.

Pack 12, Den 4. 9/11/2002

J. L. Tarr

J. L. Tarr recently passed away. He was Chief Scout Executive of the BSA from 1979 - 1984 and had a wonderful 43 year professional Scouter career.

I first met Mr. Tarr at the '81 NJ. I was just starting college and I too wanted to be a professional. I can remember just being in his presence was awe inspiring. I asked him where the next NJ would be held and he told me that it would be at A.P. Hill for several more times. He was right.

I met him once again up in Maine. I took his picture and sent him a copy. He sent the picture back, with a very encouraging letter, and a Chief Scout Executive patch. He was a big reason that I became a District Executive.

"He decided that as a young boy he wanted to work for the Boy Scouts," his daughter, Mary Margaret Berry said. "He asked someone when he was 12 years old, 'How can I work for the Boy Scouts?' The man told him to get good grades and go to college and then to call him and he would hire him. When my dad graduated from Oklahoma State University, that man hired him and he went to work in that council."

James Lee Tarr, 1919 - 2008

Sea Scout Events

Boy Scouts have Camporees. Sea Scouts get together at Rendezvous. They sound like that they are fun and someday, we will go to one. Simon Kenton Council, out of Columbus, has one every year. You can bring your own boat or use their stuff. Doesn't matter. The purpose is to get together, show off some skills, and have fun. Sounds like a Camporee doesn't it?

On the national scale, while we go to National Jamborees, Sea Scouts have the Koch Cup every 2 years. It is an international event that tests sailing skills, for one fine piece of hardware.

http://www.seascoutcup.org/

We need to go and visit that event someday too! I know it may be near to impossible, but wouldn't that trophy look good in the Troop Room?

Seabadge CR-5

No, I'm not the Ice Cream man!

I learned a great deal about the traditions of Sea Scouting over the weekend. Sea Scouting has been around since 1912, so there is a lot. I didn't learn it all, but I did come away with a renewed sense that Scouting works. Whether it is on the land or on the water.

I got to meet Charles Holmes who is the National Director of Venturing. He has had the top Venturing job, since the program started in 1998. Great guy! He invited me, and all of the Venture Scouts I could find, to be on Staff for the Venture exhibit at the 2010 NJ.

Road trip!

Charles Holmes and some dude from Pikeville.

Sea Scouts

I am taking off this morning to travel up north into Indiana. The Central Region is doing a Seabadge training this weekend in Rochester.

Several of my old Powder Horn buddies are going, so I won't be with total strangers. I'm really looking forward to learning more about Sea Scouts. I believe that our Council has only 3 Ships registered. That is an opportunity.

Sea Scouting is like "liquid" Boy Scouts. Get the book, follow the book, and it works. You don't have to live by the ocean and own a 50 foot yacht. Kentucky has too many lakes and rivers, not to teach our youth about the adventures aboard!

In The News

Doug Ramey, and the boys from Elkhorn City, made the local newspaper yesterday with their trip to the USS Yorktown. Pictures and stories like this help with FOS, recruitment, new units, new leaders, and everything else good about Scouting.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then you need to come to Roundtable tomorrow. Doug and Glen Felty are doing a presentation about their recent trip to Charleston, SC.

Camping Guide

Efforts are being made from several of our Lodge members, to try and create a new "Where to Go Camping Guide" for all of our units.

Promoting camping is a big part of the O.A. and we need every one to help. If every Lodge member would email our Lodge Secretary just 1 place that they knew of to go camping, we would have a large book that we could hand out or could be down loaded.

Hey, if the boys down in Tennessee can do it, so can we!

Spring Fellowship

March 28 - 30, 2008

Camp McKee

Sign up today!

http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/DocDownload.asp?id=37002