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GSMC Scouting Blog
Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountain Council Scouting Blog. Discussions on this blog will be limited to scouting issues, topics, and information. Views expressed are those of the authors. This is not an official GSMC site.
Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountain Council Scouting Blog. Discussions on this blog will be limited to scouting issues, topics, and information. Views expressed are those of the authors. This is not an official GSMC site.
Planning, Planning, Planning
It is the beginning of May and time for the annual Unit Program Planning Conferences. This year there are a total of five conferences. Details are in the latest edition of The Scouter. It can be found at:
http://www.bsa-gsmc.org/scouter/issue.htm?file=The%20Scouter%2020090428.pdf
The convenience of having five conferences should allow more adult leaders to attend. Every unit should try to send at least two leaders to the conference.
Planning is very important to the health of a unit. To paraphrase a popular saying, a unit that fails to plan should plan to fail. Now is the time to plan, not in the fall. Packs need to spend the fall recruiting and forming new dens. Troops and Crews need to be able to hit the ground running after summer camp and other activities. Spending time now and planning a year out allows time to improve and modify as needed.
Planning should result from input from parents, leaders and most of all the Scouts. Financial planning should also be a part of the planning process. Not only should a budget be developed but also projects for raising money. How much popcorn with the unit sell? Is a bake sale a good option? There must be agreement from all parties in order to be successful. If the leaders plan it and the parents don't buy in, the project may be doomed.
A good year plan can be a great recruitment tool. Parents a very impressed if the unit has a well thought out plan. A calendar can be used for outings and projects. Meeting days and times are overlooked but are very important to new scouting families. Planning can mean the difference between a good unit and a great unit. The choice is yours.
...
http://www.bsa-gsmc.org/scouter/issue.htm?file=The%20Scouter%2020090428.pdf
The convenience of having five conferences should allow more adult leaders to attend. Every unit should try to send at least two leaders to the conference.
Planning is very important to the health of a unit. To paraphrase a popular saying, a unit that fails to plan should plan to fail. Now is the time to plan, not in the fall. Packs need to spend the fall recruiting and forming new dens. Troops and Crews need to be able to hit the ground running after summer camp and other activities. Spending time now and planning a year out allows time to improve and modify as needed.
Planning should result from input from parents, leaders and most of all the Scouts. Financial planning should also be a part of the planning process. Not only should a budget be developed but also projects for raising money. How much popcorn with the unit sell? Is a bake sale a good option? There must be agreement from all parties in order to be successful. If the leaders plan it and the parents don't buy in, the project may be doomed.
A good year plan can be a great recruitment tool. Parents a very impressed if the unit has a well thought out plan. A calendar can be used for outings and projects. Meeting days and times are overlooked but are very important to new scouting families. Planning can mean the difference between a good unit and a great unit. The choice is yours.
[April 29th, 2009, Wednesday 22:00 PM]
Highlights
Stecore Syndication Feed - Syndicate Your Sitecore Solution
Stecore Syndication Feed - Syndicate Your Sitecore Solution
The Outdoor Channel original series
Scouting for Adventure; an original series based on the BSA and their flagship magazine, Boys' Life. This high-adventure show targets young outdoorsmen, teaching wilderness skills with an emphasis on safety and team-building.
...
[June 1st, 2009, Monday 09:00 AM]
2 Millionth Eagle
Anthony Thomas to Represent 97 Years of Scouting Tradition and Honor, Serve as Youth Representative at BSA 100th Anniversary Events
...
[June 1st, 2009, Monday 09:00 AM]
Spirit of Adventure
A new book shows how Scouting values and experiences are improving our world through the actions of a new generation of Eagle Scouts.
...
[April 28th, 2009, Tuesday 09:00 AM]
Cubcast - Boy Scouts of America
Cubcast is an audio podcast featuring a variety of how-to and information topics for Cub Scout leaders and parents.
[LISTEN]Join us as we discover great ways to implement the August 2009 monthly theme, Fun in the Sun. Ray Alverson, the assistant council commissioner for Cub Scout roundtables in the Houston area, is our featured guest, and he brings a wealth of tips and insights for executing a really enjoyable theme.
...
[LISTEN]In part 2 of the July Cubcast, we explore ideas and strategies for effective fall Cub Scout recruiting. Brian Skalski, Cubmaster for Pack 204 at the Jersey Shore Council, joins us to share the inside story on how the council improved its fall recruiting by leaps and bounds.
...
[LISTEN]Summers here, and the time is right for athletic activities of all kinds. In part 1 of the June Cubcast, we explore Julys theme of Be a Sport, including tips on great ways to involve your den and pack in a variety of sports, as well as teaching Scouts the ways of good sportsmanship.
...
Cubcast is an audio podcast featuring a variety of how-to and information topics for Cub Scout leaders and parents.
Fun in the Sun
[LISTEN]Join us as we discover great ways to implement the August 2009 monthly theme, Fun in the Sun. Ray Alverson, the assistant council commissioner for Cub Scout roundtables in the Houston area, is our featured guest, and he brings a wealth of tips and insights for executing a really enjoyable theme.
[July 1st, 2009, Wednesday 10:00 AM]
Cub Scout Fall Recruiting
[LISTEN]In part 2 of the July Cubcast, we explore ideas and strategies for effective fall Cub Scout recruiting. Brian Skalski, Cubmaster for Pack 204 at the Jersey Shore Council, joins us to share the inside story on how the council improved its fall recruiting by leaps and bounds.
[July 1st, 2009, Wednesday 09:00 AM]
Be a Sport
[LISTEN]Summers here, and the time is right for athletic activities of all kinds. In part 1 of the June Cubcast, we explore Julys theme of Be a Sport, including tips on great ways to involve your den and pack in a variety of sports, as well as teaching Scouts the ways of good sportsmanship.
[June 1st, 2009, Monday 10:00 AM]