#50 done!

Crime Prevention... one that both Sander and Tyler has partials from Omaha for, were easily completed. I emailed Tyler, and hopefully he'll have his done at tonight's meeting, because all they had to do was a quick safety survey of the house, and to make a poster about school safety.

That brings Sander up to an even 50. He started Signaling last week, and we can hope that he can wrap it up sometime this month, along with Mike S., Mike W. and maybe Jordan (if he can make it). That would finish all the historicals for Sander- a goal he set for himself at the start of this year.

Computers- done!

So, Mike Wilke, the Troop's new Webmaster, has been working with me on the Computers merit badge (at my nudging, admittedly). He knows his stuff, and it only took a few meetings and a conversation at Base Camp for Mike to finish it all up. Sander sat in on some of those meetings, but I wasn't quite sure how serious he was about the badge. After all, he wants to slow down... and I -really- don't want to have him feel like I'm pushing him at all.

However, as soon as Mike finished up his stuff this Monday at the troop meeting, Sander sat down and said, "Let's do this." So, he's serious. And we went through what he'd done, and what there was left. Then, Tuesday night, on our drive in to see Ian, we went through a few more of the requirements- stuff we've talked about informally before, so really, all I had to do was ask him, and he knew his stuff. Then last night, the obligatory "Name three careers" bit... which, again, he had down. So- have to say that he's done his work! Merit badge #48- done!

Oh, and both he and Mike W. approached me about finding a counselor for Graphic Design. So, on a lark, I re-checked Minnetonka Center for the Arts (where he'd done his Metalwork last year), and they are taking registrations-- including a half-day in Graphic Design! So, after confirming that with him, I'm registering him up today.

Tomorrow he goes to the circus (Circus Juventas) for a Theater merit badge, and then snorkeling (no merit badge!) in the afternoon. Weather is still in process- should be done next Monday. And this is all with him "slowing down". But hey-- nothing scheduled for November or December yet...

Report from Tomahawk

So, Sander decided to "take it easy" at Tomahawk this year... and only signed up from three merit badges:

Nature
Shotgun Shooting
Orienteering

He finished Nature and Orienteering. But as a surprise, Tomahawk also offered Tracking and Space Exploration. We went to get Tracking finished, but wasn't able to get the counselors to sign off on one of the requirements, so that's still pending. But he and about 8 other scouts all did the rocket launches and managed to get Space Exploration done. Plus- they worked their tales off, and finished up Geocaching as well!

So, for a "relaxed" Tomahawk, he finishes up 5 merit badges. Still has that stinkin' Tracking to finish though.

Bugling done!

At long last!! 6 months after his Scoutmaster Bucky trip, Sander has gotten a signed copy of his blue card!

At the Scoutmaster Bucky event, he went through most of the requirements, save the hardest- playing the calls. He had three signed off that day, but the other 15 he was told to learn and play for an adult. So, since that time, he's been slowing working through his way through the calls. Some, like Mess and Taps, he really already knew, but just didn't play well with all the other buglers tooting in the same room. Some, like Church, it took him a long while to get through. Sarah, who has much more of a musical ear than I, was the arbiter, which is good. My policy has always been, "It says to PLAY the call, not PLAY IT WELL" so my criteria might have been looser.

I just found out at the start of the month, that Bugling is being discontinued next year, merged in as an optional requirement for Music, so Sander started and finished it at the right time!

Is Carpentry done?

Sander tells me that he finished his project... but he doesn't give me his card for some reason. So, maybe it's done, maybe it's not. Until I get his card, I can't say he's finished though. I will say this- his scout's honor is keeping him honest, and I'm proud of him for that.

He also called a counselor for Scholarship, since he finally did get the letter from his principal. That one should be easy to whip out.

Summer Road Trip

So, looking for a place to road trip, found a reason to go to Nebraska. Yes, Sander will be doing two merit badges there: Law and Indian Lore, though mostly I think he'll be looking forward to the water park and Omaha Zoo (apparently one of the best zoos in the nation). Trying to see if Tyler wants to join- more fun in pairs, but still some time to plan for that.

More Geocachers added

So, Greg caught up with the scouts at Star Camp, and in today's meeting the five boys were to finish nearly all of the pending requirements. Challenge 1- Jordan didn't come. Challenge 2- Mike Wilke asked if he could join in as well. Challenge 3- I didn't have my case with the full list of requirements. So, while working with Mike W. on the requirements as I could remember, Kyle, Greg and Tyler went off to find their first geocache. And find it they did, though they arrived back just a bit after the meeting was complete.

So, pending for Tomahawk or the Scout picnic- finishing Mike W. through the other requirements (not many actually- he's a smart kid); having him and Jordan find a geocache of their own; and having all six boys plan a CITO geocache event for the new scouts.

Hopefully, National will have the badge available by then! Would be cool to have them for the boys that week!

Geochaching started

So, at today's Scout meeting, Sander approached and asked if he could start on the Geocaching merit badge with me. By the time the meeting had ended, we had Jordan, Kyle and Tyler started along with Sander. Greg came by at the end of the meeting, and we agreed he could join in at Star Camp with the others. The badge hasn't yet been released, but at least the requirements have.

Plans for Summer Camp

So, here are the MB plans for summer camp.

Sander is looking at doing two weeks this year. First, at Many Points:

Camping
Soil & Water Conservation / Tracking
Radio

At Tomahawk:

Nature
Orienteering
Shotgun Shooting

He's also maybe thinking of trying to fit Cooking in during his free time, but we'll see about that.

He decided to drop Dog Care for now, to focus on Eagle requireds and such. He did his physical and dental, so should be starting up with Patti on his Personal Fitness next week. :)

Four more down

Been a while since I've updated. In that time, Scoutmaster Bucky has not replied at all. But as the Advancement Coordinator, I'm just going to take the scout as trustworthy, and put the Environmental Science up on his sash.

As expected, Betsy took three of the boys (Greg, Kyle and Sander) through the last requirements of Emergency Preparedness, so toss that up on his sash as well. In the interim, he finished up Energy, and got approved by email from the counselor.

Sue Wilke was kind enough to drive four boys (Mike W., Sander, Tyler, and Tristen from Troop 294) up for the Rifle Shooting. The boys were ready, and with just a bit of work, they all succeeded in getting it done!

Last weekend, Sander jumped (or maybe was pushed a little) into doing one more Scoutmaster Bucky opportunity- an easy one, really: Golf! He's already played a few rounds with my uncle Steve, so it was just a little bit of prep, and a fun day (even if it did rain, and hail, and he lost his pitching wedge as a result) later, he's got that one in the books as well.

And what's more, last night he brought out the bugle and played three more of the calls. He's almost halfway through the calls. No rush, mind you, but the more off his to-do list, the better. Carpentry has been on hold- he hates to toenail, and really, the weather has been sucky. He'll have that done before summer camp, though, to be sure.

Environmental Science- done (??)

Scoutmaster Bucky does it again, and Sander winds up completing his Environmental Science merit badge, thanks to a lot of prep work he did this week. He couldn't finish Carpentry, though it's signed off- Bucky relying on the "A scout is honorable" portion of the law to ensure that Sander will finish his project at home before turning in the card.

The question mark is that while the requirements were all signed off on the front, the counselor didn't sign the back of the card, nor did she provide contact information, so Sander had to write back to Bucky for follow-up on that.

Tonight, he and the other boys should be finishing up Emergency Preparedness, which will put his count at 29, 7 Eagles. Carpentry and Energy are pending and doable. Bugling is a slow boat. Cooking is held off until summer camp. Model Design and Building is in hiatus.

He has Rifle Shooting in two weeks, and is also looking at possibly doing Shotgun Shooting the same weekend with Bucky. We'll see-- he needs to clear some things out, but mostly he's focusing on just the Eagles, historicals and Hornadays. Well... and blasting a gun is always fun. :)

Also tonight, with any luck, Patti Teachout will start up Personal Fitness, and I'm hoping Sander is interested in working on that during the summer.

Plans for summer camp

So, last night, Sander sat down with a schedule for both Many Points and Tomahawk, and came up with this set of merit badges to work on:

Many Points (July 11-17):
Leatherwork/Basketry
Soil & Water Conservation/Tracking
Cooking (so he can finish it at last!)

(the items joined with a slash appear to be one session-two merit badges earned.)

Tomahawk (July 31-Aug 6):
Forestry
Camping
Mammal Study

For both summer camps, he's giving himself a free period- good to chill out, or to do any of the assignments for classes. Good to see he's not overexerting himself, but this should still wind up as 8 merit badges.

In other merit badge stuff: Geocaching is now an official badge, though the image for the badge has yet to appear. The historic badges have finally shown up in stores, so Kyle and Sander were awarded them, post Court of Honor. The boys (Kyle,Greg and Sander) worked through much of the remaining requirements for Emergency Preparedness- should be done next Monday. They will also be travelling to the Wolf Center this Saturday to get a jump start on Environmental Science. I wound up being talked into counseling William, up at Tomahawk, through Electricity and perhaps Nuclear Science. And Patti Teachout was persuaded to take on counseling for Personal Fitness for the troop.

Scholarship started

Sander's most recent report card was so good, that the long mentioned Scholarship badge is now something he's looking to earn. Since he'll be starting up a new, much bigger school next year, now seems the best time to ask the principal for a note. So, he wrote up a formal request letter. Should be an easy one to earn. :)

Fish & Wildlife Management

So, when I found out (at Archery) about a merit badge day down in Rochester, Sander was game for it- and not just for any old merit badges, but for ones that would count towards the Hornaday Awards. So, last night, we drove down and got a hotel room in Rochester. We brought the pooches along, and it all pretty fun and relaxing. Woke up, and Sander was checked in for the Gamehaven Council Merit Badge Fair.

Fish & Wildlife Management included a field trip to a nature center, and Sander got to see a Timber Rattler and a Bull Snake, and learned about wolf management. He enjoyed it, and finished all requirements!

Energy must have been not energizing, because Sander admitted to falling asleep during the lecture. Still, he caught up, and took a field trip of a power center, seeing a number of generators. He (and all the other boys) have an outstanding requirement- making pie charts about energy sources and usages. So, for now, he's holding at 28.

Oceanography

Well, a little nudging and Sander wrapped up the requirements for Oceanography to our satisfaction. He had done the work with Tyler, but merely hadn't written the info on his own worksheet- thinking they could just work of their shared sheet. So, in random moments since then, he's shown us where he found the information, and completed the work. Since the counselor had signed off the card, and not provided any contact information, our assumption is that this was what was intended.

27 done.

Also- am being shuffled into Advancement Coordinator, sort of, and at 27, Sander is tied for 2nd most in the troop. Not that it's a contest, but he seems to enjoy these sorts of activities, and ... well... it's something that in one year, he's earned as many MB's as some our Life Scouts. Now, granted, he doesn't have some of the Eagle's- and those are a good amount of work yet. But still- can't help a proud papa moment. :D

A few pre-req's for next weekend: Energy and Fish & Wildlife Mgmt.

Sports- done!

Today was a busy troop meeting. Music and Sports counselors came in to help boys through some badges, and I was the Betsy fill-in for Emergency Preparedness. Sander wrapped up the Sports merit badge (along with Tyler and Michael), and then joined Kyle, Greg and Matt on E.P. Initially, he told Matt he wouldn't, and he confirmed this with me when I asked. And while I was a bit surprised, I accepted his decision. He asked if it was too late, then decided to join in... so, a boy can be fickle. :)

26 badges down, and Oceanography so close...

Landscape Architecture- done

So, Saturday, Tyler and Sander did both Landscape Arch, and Oceanography. The Oceanography was at Underwater World at the Mall of America, and the boys got to go above- seeing the backstage stuff. They both said it was very cool. Tyler finished his badge, but Sander has a few more requirements to complete. The counselor did sign off the form, so we assume that he just needs to show off the requirements to an adult, and he can turn in the card. A Scout is Trustworthy.

Meanwhile, Landscape Architecture covered everything in the class- and again, kinda surprisingly, both of the boys really enjoyed it. Both boys finished that one up completely.

Archery - done

So, in a fantastic bit of timing, Sander and Tyler weren't part of the first group to shoot arrows. They had to go do the construction part of the merit badge. Sander started by making the bow string, Tyler making the arrow. They both swapped after a little bit, and were the first done with both. They then went and shot on the range- Sander with a compound and Tyler with a recursive. Both said they were using what they preferred, and when they tried out the other style of bow, they weren't as accurate.

Well, they both nailed the accuracy tests pretty easily. Sander got a 193 (needing 170), Tyler a 178 (needing a 150). We got the badge all done by 11- which gave us time to run Tyler back home, pick up Sarah, and get Sander back to a swim/dive meet! (Not related, but he got a 1st in his division in diving, a close 1st/2nd in 50m back, and a solid 3rd in 100m free).

While at the event, I had the chance to preach the gospel of Scoutmaster Bucky. In exchange, I found out about an event down in Rochester with the Gamehaven council. Now, Rochester is about an 80 minute drive, so if Sander had said he didn't want to, I would have dropped it. But he's looking (apparently) at earning the Hornaday badge, and so picked Energy and Fish/Wildlife Mgmt to do! So, two more badges on the calendar!

Oh, and Friday he picked his next Scoutmaster Bucky badges: Oceanography and Landscape Architecture.

This weekend- basketball tourney
Next- Scoutmaster Bucky
Then- nothing
Then- Gamehaven Council
Then- Swimming prelims

Phew...

Pathfinding- done! (sort of)

In what Kyle and Sander agreed was the easiest merit badge this side of Fingerprinting, they, along with Tristen, did the first of the Historical merit badges in an afternoon session today. I think it took MAYBE two hours, and really not even that long. Most of the work for the boys had been done in preparation, and there was a lot of discussion, not so much on the merit badge requirements itself, but on how things have changed in the 50-100 years since the badge was active. "Tourist camp".. "county farm agent" it was cool both to hear unfamiliar terms, but also for Scoutmaster Bucky to talk about them, and how Scouting and everyday life has changed during the century of Scouting. Since these are Historical merit badges, I appreciated the focus being not just on the simple requirements, but also on the history itself. Bucky's a cool cat, to be sure.

Speaking of which, it's his hard work and constant connection to folks at the local council and national that has pushed this through. Word is that the historical merit badge program is on hold, but it was Bucky himself who called up national and confirmed, the program IS on- the requirements ARE correct, and the only delay is to get the computer systems set up to handle these new/old badges. 2-8 weeks, it's said. So, the boys have their cards, but won't hand them in until the word comes down from National.

22... and tomorrow he should meet with Carrie to a) finish up Family Life, and b) maybe start up Pets. We can hope!

Emergency Preparedness?

So, Betsy, the ever-wise, ever-charming, ever-lovely fellow Scouter/co-worker came by and mentioned that she was going to be working two boys from her troop through the Emergency Preparedness (Eagle-required) badge, and oh... would Sander be interested in joining?? Well gosh, I'll have to check with him...

DUH! Of course he would!

And Kyle is invited as well. And he's game.

And today, I've got an invitation to maybe invite one or two more, perhaps.

No definitive schedule yet, but I'm putting this down as "upcoming" at least.

Meanwhile, Tina passed on word about Scoutmaster Bucky to her troop, and I'm glad to see that they are eagerly jumping on board! 5 are signed up for Fire Safety, more, in fact, than they have drivers for. I briefly thought about offering to drive, but Sander's going to be busy with basketball, and I'll have enough going on on Sunday.

Touched up plans with Tina and Tristen (why did she spell it with an "E"??) about Sunday. That was when she mentioned Doug Larson- another kid who might want a ride?? Ummm... my car is full, but we'll see, I guess...

Also, SM Bucky reports that National is still working on how they will process the historical merit badges. He's confirmed that they ARE still a go, but that it may take a few months before the badges are available and the paper work can be processed. Cool!

Metalwork

So the wife and I noted that it's been me that's taking Sander to all these Scouting events, and while that's kind of part and parcel with the whole father-son-thing, it occured to me that if ever there was a merit badge that she'd be interested in going to, it would be yesterday's- Metalwork, specifically silversmithing at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts. But, push come to shove, when Sander was asked who he wanted to take him- it was the old man who got selected.

So, an early rise to drive 45 minutes way to the other side of the Cities, but at least I'll get to watch my son at work, right? Well he no sooner signs in, than he subtly lets his dad know that it'd be okay if dad just disappeared for a while. After all, none of the other dads are staying to watch.

So, I wander around the center. Beautiful facility with lots of cool galleries and work areas. I was supposed to pick up a calendar of classes for the wife- but it slipped my mind. Then I went off to find a McDonald's... but apparently Wayzata and Orono are too hoity-toity for Mickey D's! After about 15 minutes, I give up, have a coffee and breakfast bagel at Bruegger's and then pick up a sandwich from Jimmy John's. Oh, and the other annoyance- neither Starbuck nor Caribou offer Italian sodas (I thought I'd surprise him). Grr...

After lunch, I go find a bar, have a cider and a whiskey, and relax with my book. Ya know, I kinda missed out on watching the boy work, but I really had a pretty nice day to myself in exchange.

All the silver was gone, so Sander made two pieces, one with copper and the other with brass. But all the requirements were met, he had a great time, said he'd totally do it again next year, and I was glad to see that he wasn't the only Troop 49'er there! Stephen did Pottery in the morning, and Graphic Design in the afternoon (Sander's was an all-day class).

Anyway, bottom line is #21, Metalwork, is all done, and Sander's got two pendants to show for his work!

Cinematography done

So, Sander has tomorrow off, and since he had only the tour of a TV production site to do, I thought about seeing if WCCO had tours. Good news- they do! Bad news- their 2 pm tour is already packed. Well, I looked up public access, and lo and behold- they have "open mic" night on Thursdays! I gave a call, and Glen at SCC gave Sander a very thorough and interesting tour. Sander kept saying, "I know where YOU'LL be next Tuesday!" I wish I could say I was more interested, but I'm just not. Still, if I were interested, it'd be a great resource, and I'm really going to try and persuade Erik to check it out, both for himself, and for the other scouts.

Oh, and Sander's movie "Alien Dinosaurs from Mars" will be on channel 15 at 1:30 pm, next Wednesday and next Saturday (the 6th).

Other scouts

Wow- it was cool last night to have William approach me about the Music merit badge. No question, both he and Matt O have all the requirements in their pocket- all that's needed is for them to work with a counselor. So, I'll be contacting counselors to ask if one can join the scouts at a future troop meeting. :)

Dog Care

Two Mondays ago, I was approached by Greg, who felt that he and three other boys would enjoy working on the Dog Care merit badge, and could I arrange a counselor for them. Well, so I turned to my wife, and said, "What do you think??"

She didn't have the book, or the requirements, but was game. I at least remembered the first requirement (discuss the 7 groups and sample breeds from each group), so she ran the boys through the first requirement. There is much more to cover, and there wasn't time last night for her to follow up on that. But good news- a former parent dropped off some old merit badge books, and there on top was the Dog Care one!

So, now she just needs to get registered as a counselor, and run them through the rest. Sander, who was busy elsewhere that first Monday, went through the requirements with Sarah at home, and I guess he's seen enough dog shows on Animal Planet, because he pretty much aced the groups and breeds.

Sarah has yet to set up a schedule or such, but at least informally, I'm noting Dog Care as "In Process" (though he needs to get a card started)

EVEN more Merit Badges!

As if 121 wasn't enough... or 125... or 126... now in honor of Scouting's 100th anniversary in the US, National has reissued four special Historic merit badges. These are part of the original set from 1911, but have been since discontinued. I'd heard rumors, but now they're confirmed.

They will be gold-trimmed, rather than green or silver, and can only be earned in 2010. After Dec.31, they will be deactivated again. So, of course Sander HAS to earn them!

And of course, Scoutmaster Bucky is starting the first of these in February... So, Sander is now scheduled for Pathfinding on Feb.7th... after Scout Sunday, and Pinewood Derby... Oh, and there may be a basketball tourney too... Bleh!

Cinematography all-but-done Friday, Genealogy done on Saturday, Metalworking this Saturday, Pathfinding the following Sunday, somewhere along there Family Life should be done... and hopefully he'll find another couple of service hours by the 12th to finish up his Star requirements. :)

Genealogy- Done!

Saturday, on a very icy morning, we head to the Minnesota Genealogy Society in South St.Paul. While I don't mean to criticize Boy Scout volunteers who are spending their day, often thanklessly, working for the benefit of the Scouts, I have to admit that Scoutmaster Bucky has me spoiled. There is little information at check-in as to what the plan is. Will there be classwork? We are shuttled into a meeting room, and without much guidance, Sander and I start working on the other requirements just on our own time.

I will say that the tour of the library was fun and informative for Sander. He spent 20 minutes at Ancestry.com looking up some of the ancestors I have in our records. He finds some meager information that could be worth following-up on, but when I suggest he look up the name "Eliza Jack" (one of Sarah's ancestors), he finds an actual census record. This makes it much more real for him- a scanned document over a hundred years old. And under place of birth for Eliza Jack: "New Brunswick." At last, the Canadian heritage he celebrated back in first grade.

Anyway, with a lot of work (his comment: "This isn't like school. In school, we do stuff- this is all just writing."), he starts and finishes Genealogy in short order. 19 down!!

Cinematography project complete!

Friday night, we come home and are surprised by the fact that Sander has spent the afternoon working on his movie! He's been editting clips, choosing background music and is super eager to show us. And what he's got is great! Okay, so there are a few more things to tweak up- he needs some sound effects, some additional voice work, his credits need to be polished up, and the sound levels need to be balanced throughout. Well, that's what we spend the evening doing- he records some panicked Mexican citizens in one clip... makes a "wah, wah, wahhhhhh...." sound for the ending.

It's all finished, and can be viewed now at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEwspoX3mTI

Cinematography is almost done- just need a visit to a TV studio, and Erik's working on that.