Simon Says

Thanking Our Volunteers

Simon — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:18:16 +0000

Volunteers are the lifeblood for any nonprofit organization and each person has different reasons for stepping up to the challenge. Many organizations, events, and groups rely on the assistance of volunteers because of their worth and without them would not run smoothly- or at all! The volunteers of Simon Kenton Council are no exception. During this year’s Volunteer Appreciation Week, we want you to know how important and appreciated you truly are to us and the Scouting program.

To think of a volunteer as someone who simply has a lot of spare time on their hands and is here just for something to do is false- especially in SKC. You give your time and energy because you are passionate about Scouting; it’s not just something you do, it is who you are. You coordinate for hours with people you may not know, tirelessly create fun agendas for meetings and campouts, plan successful fundraisers, complete important and necessary training courses, camp in below freezing temperatures, and travel miles and miles for that one special experience you know will create lifelong memories for your Scouts. Our SKC volunteers not only help the youth in the program but the surrounding communities through food drives and other service projects. You take ‘Do a Good Turn Daily’ to heart and fully encompass what that means into your actions.

What would we do without you? It’s a scary thought but in short, the answer would be we wouldn’t. Without your devotion and commitment, thousands of Scouts in central and southern Ohio and northern Kentucky would not have a program to grow and learn the Scouting ways. Our goal is to be the premier leader in youth development and because of you we are always able to successfully renew that goal each and every year. Without your support, we would not have the opportunity to provide Scouting to more than 22,000 youth.

Whether you began volunteering because your child was interested in joining, your friends asked you to help, or you believe in the Scouting program, we thank you for making the commitment to better the lives of our youth. We thank you for your heartfelt dedication to the program. Thank you for the time you commit to the youth and because of your commitment they have grown in Scouting. There are countless Scouts who made memories and new friends, conquered fears, fulfilled their goals, surprised even themselves, pushed harder than they thought they could, and even became an Eagle Scout all because you said “I will”. THANK YOU!

Youth Protection Champions: Who and Why?

Simon — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:21:22 +0000

Have a Youth Protection question you’re not comfortable asking some stranger at the council or national level? Ever feel like Youth Protection is “too national” and doesn’t directly apply to your unit?

We hear you. And so does the BSA’s National Youth Protection committee.

Check out the new Youth Protection Champions program, debuting later this year. Starting with the unit-level Champion and going all the way down to the volunteer who chairs the national YP committee, the program is designed to keep Youth Protection on everyone’s mind by embedding key barriers to abuse into every aspect of the program and every unit in Scouting.

A unit-level Champion’s job is about more than just making sure everyone is Youth Protection trained. (By the way, if your training isn’t up-to-date, fix that immediately.) The Champions fill in that two-year gap between trainings to promote new initiatives, increase awareness, distribute materials, and monitor the unit’s Youth Protection strategy.

The timing’s perfect, because April is Youth Protection Month. Follow the jump for a first look at this important new program, including the Champion’s roles and how someone like you can become a Champion.

The Inverted Pyramid

Jim Wilson, chairman of the National Executive Board’s Youth Protection committee, has an out-of-the-box way to look at Youth Protection. He sees it as an upside-down pyramid.

The Scouts and Venturers, who everyone agrees are our most-important groups, are the largest and sit at the top of the pyramid. Then comes the unit-level Champions, who are as important as they are numerous.

Next, we’ve got the district Champions, then the council Champions, the area Champions, region Champions, and the national YP committee — that little point way at the bottom.

Approaching Youth Protection this way underlines the importance of Scouts and Scout leaders in making Youth Protection a top priority. The slogan “Youth Protection Begins With You” encapsulates this mindset.

Keep the inverted pyramid visual in mind when you consider your unit’s approach to Youth Protection.

What Does a Unit-Level Champion Do?

Lots. Here are a few of the key responsibilities:

Youth Protection Training: The initial focus of unit Champions will be to get 100 percent of the unit Youth Protection trained. In some units, that’s already happening. In others, someone needs to be that bug in the ears of volunteers telling them to get trained as soon as possible. That message is a lot more effective coming from a fellow unit leader than someone at the district or council, I think, and that’s why a unit Champion has so much value. But training is just the beginning …

Awareness: When the BSA rolls out Youth Protection-related material, such as the popular Cyber Chip, the unit Champion can bring that information directly to his or her pack, troop, team, or crew. Champions will also be instrumental in communicating news about the BSA’s upcoming anti-bullying initiative.

Monitoring: The Champion isn’t a Youth Protection police officer, per se. Instead, he or she is responsible for developing and monitoring the unit’s strategy for delivering Youth Protection training and following its core principles. But vigilance is part of it, too. If the unit isn’t following BSA Youth Protection policies and procedures, the Champion should alert the Scoutmaster and committee chairman right away.

Reporting: A unit Champion should provide feedback to his or her committee about any impediments to volunteers and parents taking YP training. A Champion should make sure activities and events are consistent with BSA policies and procedures — ensuring there will be enough adults and separate restroom facilities at an upcoming event, for example. The unit Champion can be in contact with his or her district Champion to offer feedback about the BSA’s Youth Protection strategy.

How Do I Become a Champion?

This isn’t something you volunteer for. Unit-level Champions are appointed by the unit committee, which reports the person’s name to the council. Stay tuned for more information as the program rolls out (see below for more details).

In the meantime, here are the desired qualifications for the position. Keyword is desired, because not every unit-level Champion will have everything on the list:

Youth-protection oriented volunteer, probably a committee member
Expertise in social services, law enforcement, criminal justice, abuse prevention, investigation, intervention, policy creation, sex-offender treatment, child-abuse therapy, children’s advocacy, victim advocacy, or forensics
Educational or professional background in child abuse, with knowledge of youth victimization

Someone with these skills would be well-equipped to answer sensitive questions a unit leader might have but might not want to take to his or her council just yet. Of course, any time you suspect something illegal is going on, especially involving children, call the police right away.

The plan is for Youth Protection Champions to receive special-edition patches that will be easily recognizable by others — especially helpful when someone has a Youth Protection question out in the field and isn’t sure whom to ask.

Tentative Rollout Plans

Wilson, the national committee chairman, says he hopes every council will have a council-level Champion by the end of 2013. So look for more information about unit-level Champions late this year or early next.

Stay tuned. While the Champion program details are being finalized, nothing is stopping you from championing Youth Protection in your unit.

Hassle all your volunteers until you have 100 percent of them trained. Make sure your Scouts are staying safe online by bringing the Cyber Chip program to your unit. And most of all, remember that ”Youth Protection Begins With You.”
-Bryan Wendell
Bryan on Scouting Blog

Game Design Merit Badge

Simon — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:10:01 +0000

Play to win: Game Design merit badge released

Let me stop you right here. I know what you’re thinking, but, no, this is not a merit badge Scouts earn by playing video games.

Now that I’ve dispelled that common misconception, here’s the real story: Game Design merit badge teaches Scouts how to create, test, and refine a game from one of four categories.

It’s the BSA’s 131st current merit badge and it’s likely a one-size-fits-all badge—appropriate for super-athletic Scouts as well as those who are less so. And perfect for the right-brainers and the left-brainers.

March 6 is the official release date but the merit badge pamphlets are still being printed and shipped. So, they won’t arrive in Scout Shops until later this month. The quickest way to get a pamphlet may be online, with an order to scoutstuff.org. This way, you’ll get your pamphlet right from the source. I don’t see the pamphlets on the site just yet, but keep checking back.

As for requirements, I’ve got a full list below. But most of the work revolves around creating an actual game in one of these four categories:

Electronic (games for computers, game systems, or mobile devices)
Outdoor/Athletic (sports or games like capture the flag)
Tabletop (dice-based games, board games, card games)
Pen and Paper or Role-Playing Games

Here’s the full list of Game Design merit badge requirements:

1. Do the following:

a. Analyze four games you have played, each from a different medium. Identify the medium, player format, objectives, rules, resources, and theme (if relevant). Discuss with your counselor the play experience, what you enjoy in each game, and what you dislike. Make a chart to compare and contrast the games.

b. Describe four types of play value and provide an example of a game built around each concept. Discuss with your counselor other reasons people play games.

2. Discuss with your counselor five of the following 17 game design terms. For each term that you pick, describe how it relates to a specific game.

Thematic game elements: story, setting, characters

Gameplay elements: play sequence, level design, interface design

Game analysis: difficulty, balance, depth, pace, replay value, age appropriateness

Related terms: single-player vs. multiplayer, cooperative vs. competitive, turn-based vs. real-time, strategy vs. reflex vs. chance, abstract vs. thematic

3. Define the term intellectual property. Describe the types of intellectual property associated with the game design industry. Describe how intellectual property is protected and why protection is necessary. Define and give an example of a licensed property.

4. Do the following:

a. Pick a game where the players can change the rules or objectives (examples: basketball, hearts, chess, kickball). Briefly summarize the standard rules and objectives and play through the game normally.

b. Propose changes to several rules or objectives. Predict how each change will affect gameplay.

c. Play the game with one rule or objective change, observing how the players’ actions and emotional experiences are affected by the rule change. Repeat this process with two other changes.

d. Explain to your counselor how the changes affected the actions and experience of the players. Discuss the accuracy of your predictions.

5. Design a new game. Any game medium or combination of mediums is acceptable. Record your work in a game design notebook.

a. Write a vision statement for your game. Identify the medium, player format, objectives, and theme of the game. If suitable, describe the setting, story, and characters.

b. Describe the play value.

c. Make a preliminary list of the rules of the game. Define the resources.

d. Draw the game elements.

6. Do the following:

a. Prototype your game from requirement 5. If applicable, demonstrate to your counselor that you have addressed player safety through the rules and equipment.

You must have your merit badge counselor’s approval of your concept before you begin creating the prototype.

b. Test your prototype with as many other people as you need to meet the player format. Compare the play experience to your descriptions from requirement 5b. Correct unclear rules, holes in the rules, dead ends, and obvious rule exploits. Change at least one rule, mechanic, or objective from your first version of the game, and describe why you are making the change. Play the game again. Record whether or not your change had the expected effect.

c. Repeat 6b at least two more times.

7. Blind test your game. Do the following:

a. Write an instruction sheet that includes all of the information needed to play the game. Clearly describe how to set up the game, play the game, and end the game. List the game objectives.

b. Share your prototype from requirement 6a with a group of players that has not played it or witnessed a previous playtest. Provide them with your instruction sheet(s) and any physical components. Watch them play the game, but do not provide them with instruction. Record their feedback in your game design notebook.

c. Share your game design notebook with your counselor. Discuss the player reactions to your project and what you learned about the game design process. Based on your testing, determine what you like most about your game and suggest one or more changes.

8. Do ONE of the following:

a. With your parent’s permission and your counselor’s approval, visit with a professional in the game development industry and ask him or her about his or her job and how it fits into the overall development process. Alternately, meet with a professional in game development education and discuss the skills he or she emphasizes in the classroom.

b. List three career opportunities in game development. Pick one and find out about the education, training, and experience required for the profession. Discuss this with your counselor. Explain why this profession might interest you.
-Bryan Wendell
Bryan on Scouting Blog

JTE Scores Are In!

Simon — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:52:28 +0000

The results are in, and it’s been another banner year in the BSA’s Journey to Excellence. More than 90 percent of 286 councils earned bronze, silver, or gold recognition in 2012, with 64 percent of councils improving their total points or remaining gold-level performers. Evaluating council performers by recognition level, there were 134 councils earn gold, 96 earn silver, and 39 earn bronze. Only 17 of 286 councils failed to qualify for JTE recognition. Very Impressive Numbers!
Simon Kenton Council was one of the 134 councils to earn the Gold recognition for 2012. Although we are very proud and excited about another year of Gold ranking, the true winners are all our Scouts and volunteers. The volunteers and youth being served by continuously improving Scouting programs is where the gratitude starts. Journey to Excellence is engaging volunteers and staff in action-oriented discussions focused on how together, we make the Scouting program better tomorrow than it is today. Our culture is embracing the JTE balanced scorecard as the corporate standard to measure Scouting achievement at the unit, district, and council levels.
Simon Kenton Council is excited about how this latest advance will support district executives and district committees to better serve local Scouting. Thank you for your continued hard work which gave us, our Scouts, and all volunteers an impressive 2012!

Start Your Engines!

Simon — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:00:25 +0000

Ah, race day…to the Scouts who work countless hours on a simple block of wood and handcraft it into a majestic speedster, built to crush the competition in the blink of an eye (good sportsmanship first and foremost, of course), this day couldn’t come soon enough. The number of hours the young boys dedicate to the activity can range from an hour to weeks but every minute spent is full of pride and anticipation. The Pinewood Derby Race (PWD) was not always an annual event in scouting though. The start of PWD is a story of a man determined to give his son a racing experience he would never forget.

The Pinewood Derby race is a tradition in scouting that may not have started without the drive from Cub Master Don Murphy from Pack 280c. In 1952, his 10-year old son was too young to race in the Soap Box Derby and Murphy wanted a father-son activity they could do while in cub scouts. “I wanted to devise a wholesome, constructive activity that would foster a closer father-son relationship and promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition.” Don Murphy, 1953

Lucky for us, Murphy was a model maker and the idea of a fun, safe activity such as racing small cars down a track came easily for him. The Management Club at North American Aviation, where Murphy worked, already sponsored the Soap Box Derby and he hoped they saw the potential in his idea as well. The Club was excited about the idea and sponsored the first Pinewood Derby Car race by providing a monetary donation to make the car kits as well as donating trophies. From that point, Murphy presented everything to the Leadership and Committee members for the 55 youth Pack and was met with enthusiasm and drive to build the track.

The kits consisted of a 7 3/8 ” block of pine wood with small wooden struts holding the finished nails as axles. These kits were distributed to the boys on April 17^th and were completed on the May 15^th. After weeks of hard work and effort, the day had come to test their skills- racing day! The Manhattan Beach Scout House was packed with enthusiastic and excited Scouts and parents waiting to see what feat their car would hold. Don Murphy saw the smiling faces of the 55 scouts and knew he created something special but had no idea that over time, those 55 faces would multiply to over 50 million children worldwide!

Don Murphy passed away at the age of 90 on July 9, 2008 knowing his idea spread through Cub Scouts into Girl Scouts, Awana Grand Prix, Royal Rangers, Kub Kar Rally, Shape N Race Derby, WIRL (Woodcar Independent Racing League) as well as the US Military, corporations and many others to “promote relationships, craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition.”

I am grateful for the vision Murphy had and his desire to share an experience with his son. If it were not for his drive, my son and I nor my den and I, would ever know what fantastic experiences and memories we were missing. The look on a Scouts face when his car is completed is one of sheer joy and the parents reflect back with pride. The excitement of race day oozes throughout the building and cheers and chants echo through the room as the race goes on and we have Don Murphy and everyone involved in the startup process to thank for that.

This year at PWD, take a moment to share with your Scouts the story of how and why the race was started. Encourage them to be as adventurous and hungry for new and exciting ways to grow and bond with their parents just as Murphy was. You never know, your Scout may be the one who holds the idea for the next greatest scouting activity!

Parts of the story include material written by Joe Gargiulo. Pinewood Derby History,
Copyright (C) 1999-2012 Pinewood Pro, http://www.pinewoodpro.com

Don’t Lose us on Facebook!

Simon — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:52:45 +0000

With technology ever-changing, we try to find ways to apply quick or easy fixes to best serve you. Facebook has implemented changes that may prevent you from seeing us on your news feed, which means important dates, fun events, and vital information could go unseen on your Facebook page. This can be avoided by just a couple simple steps:

1.) Go to http://on.fb.me/10XKSCL and make sure you “Like” the page
2.)Click on the Liked button and select both “Show in News Feed” and now “Add to Interest Lists”
-If no Interest Lists has been made, you must first select “New List”
-Then create a list with the desired title best appropriate for your interests

Please keep in mind this will add all posts to the news feed of the interest list and not to the regular news feed which is where most of us are used to browsing. Some of the posts may come through to your regular news thread but be sure to click on your interest lists before heading off of Facebook. Also, this action can only be completed on your personal profile page and not a business page. Thanks for letting us keep you in the SKC know.

Happy Cyber Surfing!

Simon

MyBSA Temporarily Down

Simon — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:16:24 +0000

The System will not be available on Friday, November 16, at 7:00 PM, CST, through Sunday, November 18, at 6:00 PM, CST. BSA volunteers will be unable during these hours to upload membership information to begin processing Internet Advancement and Internet Rechartering. Volunteers may continue online by loading the unit information prior to 7:00 PM, CST, on Friday. Submittals may still occur if the membership information was uploaded.

We appreciate your patience during this time!

Thank you,
Simon

Scouts help honor our Veterans

Simon — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:15:18 +0000

About 220 volunteers fill luminarias for three separate illumination events

November 10, 2012|By ALICIA NOTARIANNI | alnotarianni@aol.com

By Colleen McGrath/Staff Photographer

It might have been an effort to feed the masses.

Hundreds, then thousands of small brown paper bags were filled by busy workers, then loaded into boxes and onto a tractor-trailer.

But this effort was not one to feed the hungry. The paper sacks were filled not with food, but with sand and candles, the light of which would represent and bring honor to the memory of the dead.

About 220 volunteers gathered Saturday morning under a spacious pavilion at the Washington Country Agricultural Education Center filling luminarias for three separate illumination events.

Of the 38,800 packed by the group, 24,000 will light historical hallowed ground on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the 24th annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination. Cedar Lawn Memorial Park will use 4,800 and Rest Haven Cemetery will use 10,000 on separate dates.

Georgene Charles, founder and chairwoman of the battlefield illumination, said volunteers come from schools, Scout troops, churches and other groups, and assemble the luminarias in just around three hours.

Speaking amid the rustle of paper bags, the rumble of supply carts and the lightness of laughter, Charles said the process has been “tweaked and refined” over the years, but “we don’t fool with it too much.”

Charles said Rest Haven owner Charlie Brown brought the idea of large-scale illuminations to Hagerstown 25 years ago. Brown had heard of an event at a cemetery in Georgia and wanted to try it for himself. The appeal, he said, was the idea of light at Christmastime. He wanted the Rest Haven illumination to offer hope and comfort to people dealing with the loss of loved ones at that sentimental time of year, he said.

The Rest Haven event inspired Charles to begin the Antietam lighting, where each of the luminarias represents one of the roughly 23,000 casualties of the Battle of Antietam, which is known as the bloodiest single-day battle in American history.

Brown said he never expected the illuminations to become “this big of a deal.” He is amazed by the numbers and efficiency of the volunteers, he said.

“Everyone moves around like crazy, but all doing what they are supposed to do. And they get the job done. It’s like a beehive of activity,” Brown said.

Carly Mazzone, 17, of Hagerstown, loaded luminarias into boxes after friends at the same table filled the bags with candles and sand scooped from the 22-ton pile next to them. She said the rhythm of the assembly line was “pretty cool” and that she enjoyed being part of the Antietam illumination.

“It’s a really great way to commemorate the sacrifices a lot of people have made for our country,” Mazzone said. “It adds almost a sense of beauty to something so horrific.”

Linda Kasinowski of Germantown, Md., has led Girl Scout troops to participate in the event for years. She said many of the girls return annually.

“Their enthusiasm for the project is unbelievable. Once they come, they are hooked,” Kasinowski said. “They don’t mind being out in the cold all day long.”

Josh Allen, 14, of Mount Airy, Md., has assisted with the project for five years. His Boy Scout troop camps out on the ag center grounds the weekend of bag-filling, then returns to the battlefield for the December lighting.

“It looks so beautiful lit up in winter,” Allen said. “It’s satisfying seeing all the lights knowing that you did something to help it.”

In Sandy’s wake, BSA Chief relays call for help

Simon — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:19:47 +0000

A Message From the Chief Scout Executive

To: All Scouts and Scouters,

By Wayne Brock, BSA Chief Scout Executive

As you can imagine, a number of our councils in the Northeast are still struggling mightily to recover from the devastation left behind by Hurricane Sandy. And a Nor’easter is bringing even more weather damage to the region this week with snowfall and other hazardous conditions.

Reports are still coming in concerning any injuries to our people and damage to BSA facilities, and the National Office stands ready to assist in any way we can. We ask you to join us in keeping the councils in this stricken area in your thoughts and prayers. They have a long road ahead of them to restore their homes and property as well as their programs to support our Scouts.

Many of you have asked how you can help. For any neighboring councils that have the people and resources to lend a hand with transportation, supplies, or other immediate needs, we ask that you work through Jim Hans, associate regional director/support for the Northeast Region, to coordinate your relief assistance. For councils in other parts of the country, we believe monetary assistance would be the most valuable resource you could provide at this time.

The worst damage seems to be in several council camps where many trees are down and some have destroyed buildings. Some council offices have had water damage and several staff members have experienced damage to their personal property. Many Scouts and units have probably lost camping gear, uniforms, trailers and other supplies. If you would like to make a donation to aid councils recovering from Hurricane Sandy, please go to the BSA Disaster Relief Fund page for instructions.

Meanwhile, we have already seen tremendous examples of how our commitment to serve others is rising to this occasion. Here are just two examples of many Scout troops that are responding with service. Boy Scout Troop 683 in Pamlico County, North Carolina is establishing drop-off locations for the public to donate non-perishable food, water, and clothing to Sandy victims. And in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, Scouts from Troops 109 and 1910 – many who experienced problems of their own from Sandy’s wrath – have assisted the National Guard with people who have lost power and are out of their homes.

I am very proud of how these Scouts and others have volunteered to assist so many people in need. Let’s all muster whatever support we can to assist our people through this difficult time.

BSA Prepaid Discover Card Now Available

Simon — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 20:01:42 +0000

We’re proud to announce that the Boy Scouts of America Discover® prepaid card is now available!

With the Scout prepaid card, parents will be teaching their Scout how to manage money wisely. This is NOT a credit card, but a prepaid, reloadable card that can be replenished from any bank account. It’s a great way for Scouts to manage their daily spending, and it’s safer and more convenient than carrying cash.

With the Scout prepaid card, Scouts will show their support of our iconic organization while learning important lessons of money management. Please help us get the word out by forwarding this email to colleagues, friends, and family. You may also access “spread the word” tools at Scouting.org/BSAprepaid, where you’ll find template emails, social media posts, fliers, and more. Get your Scout a BSA Discover prepaid card today by clicking on the “order now” button at www.ScoutsAreThrifty.com.

Also, be on the lookout for more information regarding the new Boy Scouts of America credit card. In addition to all of the existing rewards and benefits Discover offers, this card will offer a Scout rewards section where cardholders may donate their points to a council or purchase Scout shop products with their points.

This card will be available on Nov. 15 for anyone to apply, so visit www.BoyScoutCreditCard.com and stay tuned for additional information as this date approaches.