Dedicated Leaders

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Tuesday May 8th, that in December 2019, it will end the long standing relationship with the Boy Scouts of America.  This article is in response to that announcement.

I arrived at my District Roundtable last night looking for allies, and I knew who to talk to. Becca referred to the big breakup: the recent announcement that the LDS church will stop chartering scout units after 2019.

“You’re going on into 2020 with me, though, right?” I said. “Transition team for 2020: from Calling to Elective. We’re going to establish some good community packs right here in Orem.”

“I think I might take a break,” she said. My inner jaw dropped. “It’s still a year and a half away, so we’ll see what it looks like then, but I’m kind of looking forward to something else by then.” Becca said.

I was surprised. This is my scouting nerd friend, the one who is on staff for Akela’s Council this summer, who collects silicone ice trays to make neckerchief slides. This is my scouting buddy who is on roundtable committee and who knows the intricacies of Scoutbook, and who was registering people at the University of Scouting. Becca went and got a job at the Scout Shop. Her people are scout people. Becca is dedicated.

My brain and my heart processed this over night, and I woke up with even more respect for scouters like Becca. A couple years back, a member of Becca’s bishopric asked her to serve on the Cub Scout committee, and she took the assignment.

She did her best and she tried to figure out how to use the online records tracker. Eventually she discovered monthly roundtable meetings. She felt like she still didn’t get the vision, so Becca took the recommendation to go to an extensive two-weekend overnight training: Akela’s Council. Becca got the Cub Scout vision and she used her vision and skills to magnify her calling. It took time to develop her skills; but she did all she could to help her pack and provide great experiences for the boys in her ward. She made scout friends and she started making plaster neckerchief slides. She took a job at the scout office and got super specifically particular about sewing patches on straight and correct. She ramped up the quality of the pre-sewn shirts in a significant way.

Becca became an eager, enthusiastic, educated scouter. Her guilty pleasure is scout stuff. She magnified her calling, and she is still doing it. She’ll see how she feels in 19 months; and in those 19 months she is going to continue to deliver the best she can.

I was honestly surprised. I thought she had transcended her calling to become dedicated to scouting for the sake of scouting.

Turns out she does love Scouting. She throws herself into the calling that she has. She magnifies her callings. She learns and she grows and she loves those that she serves, and she’ll give the same to her next calling.

Is Becca perfect? Probably not. I’ve painted a pretty saintly picture of someone that I really do respect… and the Church has a big contingent of people that serve like Becca. There are many LDS people who will continue to throw their hearts and souls into Scouting because they love the boys and because they love their savior. When released, some will quietly hang up their Wood Badge beads and maybe even resell or donate their scout shirts, never to return. They will be the people who will make the new LDS youth program work after 2019.

I am thoroughly grateful for those dedicated people who are disguised as lifelong scouters. They have carried a big, complicated program that hasn’t been easy. They have seen the value, they have caught the vision, and they have taught it. They have impacted lives for over a century and will continue to do so.

I am also really grateful for the friends at roundtable who fist bumped and said, “Oh yeah, 2020 and beyond,” and “I get to be Webelos leader,” and “My husband is ready to be scoutmaster,” and “Whatever you need, I am ready to help.” Utah scouts will need those folks, as will the entire BSA.

Some of our LDS boys will continue to January, 2020, and transition from scouting. Other good and worthy things will fill their time and space. Many will go on to magnify callings admirably without scouts.

Some of our LDS boys and girls will love scouting, though. Some will respond well to the adventures, the belt loops, the ranks, and the badges. Some will seek the enriching values of the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the methods and purposes of Scouts.

In the next eighteen months, and for years after, we need both the lifelong scouters and also the scouters that have been disguised as lifelong scouters. Among them, we find dedicated disciples of Christ.

 ~ By Merinda Reeder who is a Cubmaster from Pack 466 in the Orem District, Utah National Parks Council.

Akela's Council - Have you been yet? Cub Scout Leader Training similar to Woodbadge, but perfect for Cub Scout Leaders

This article can be found here: http://blog.utahscouts.org/cub-scouting/akelas-council-have-you-been-yet/

Akela’s Council – Have you been yet?

Have you heard of Akela’s Council?  Have you been to Akela’s Council?  Do you know a Cub Scout leader who would benefit from attending this great training?

WHAT Is Akela’s Council?

This is an exciting 3 1/2 day Cub Scout Leader Training for those who want to have a better understanding of the Cub Scout Program and how to create the best possible Scouting experience for the boys and families in their packs. This fast-paced, hands-on training covers all recent changes in the Cub Scouting program and will inspire you to want to  “Do Your Best”.

What others have said:

Here are a few articles we have had from a few different Cub Scout Leaders and their personal experiences with Akela’s Council.

• How Akela’s Council Changed My Mind About Cub Scouting
• Generations of Cub Scouting and Akela’s Council
• Why I Went to Akela’s Council “Back Then” and Why I Go Now
• Akela’s Council Helped Fix My Pack!
• Akela’s Council; The BEST Cub Scout Leader Training Ever!
• Find YOUR Scouting Spirit at Akela’s Council

The one thing that they all have in common is that Akela’s Council is great and well worth the time and money to attend. It is hands-down the best training for Cub Scout leaders and it was created right here in the Utah National Parks Council.

WHEN is Akela’s Council?

In 2017 there will be 2 courses and registration is open now!

Akela’s Council 34 

April 28-29 & May 4-6, 2017 

at Camp Maple Dell

in Payson Canyon.

OR

Akela’s Council 35 

September 13-16, 2017

at Tifie Scout Camp

near Mt. Pleasant.

You can get more information or register online at utahscouts.org

HOW did Akela’s Council start?

“Brief History of Akela’s Council

Written by Jeannette Jensen Cubmaster of AC-9

In 1984, the Utah National Parks Council Cub Scout Committee decided there was a need to have further training for the Cub Scout Leaders in the Utah National Parks Council. A committee was formed to decide what was needed. They wrote and rewrote and revised and rewrote many different classes for leaders to learn the Cub Scout program to its fullest extent.

In May of 1987, the first course was held at Camp Maple Dell with 28 participants. It was 4 1/2 days long. Every night at staff meeting the staff would revise the program again to make it work for the participants.

It was because of these pioneers of the program that the course was successful. After each course, there were a few changes to help the program fill the needs of future leaders. When new programs were developed by national BSA, they were incorporated into the program.

Not only did participants learn more than they ever dreamed, they also came away with a deeper conviction to the program and friendships to last a lifetime.

The program has proven itself over and over. It has survived through snow, wind, rain, hail, and fire. It will survive for many years to come because of the need for all leaders to have a further training, and because of the dedication of those first leaders who had the intuition to do what was needed to make the Cub Scout Program work for the boys.”

WHERE to find more information:

AkelasCouncil.com has information about past courses, upcoming courses, history and a list of things you will learn at Akela’s Council.  It also has a link to its own blog with lots of craft and other great Cub Scouting ideas.

UNPC Council Website has information on the upcoming courses including who to contact for more information, how to register and even how to get to camp.

If you would like to talk to someone personally about Akela’s Council they will have a booth at the upcoming University of Scouting (Feb 18, 2017) with fun ideas, prizes and information too.

Akela’s Council is great!

Author: Annaleis Smith has been a Cub Scout leader for over 13 years.  She first attended Akela’s Council in 2007 (AC23) and was on staff for a number of years after that.  She was the Cubmaster/Course Director for AC31 in Sept of 2015.  Having been to A LOT of different trainings, AC is her very favorite!

Why I Went to Akela’s Council “Back Then” and Why I Go Now ~ By Annette Ward Apr 13, 2016

My husband and I had just moved to Mona, Utah after having lived over thirty years in Farmington, Utah. My first position or call in our new LDS ward was to be a Webelos leader.  I can’t say I was overjoyed. But, being the mother of seven boys, the program wasn’t completely unfamiliar.  In Farmington, I had been a Wolf or Bear leader several times. There was no training.  No instructions. It was simply a passing on of a couple of books and records.  We had weekly den meetings and attended pack meeting once a month. It was all okay. The activities were fun and even useful for the boys. I would not have considered it a life changing experience for the boys…or for me, but we did it.

So, that was the attitude I went into as the Webelos leader.  I knew a little and enjoyed the boys. Mostly, I depended on the other leader. That’s what I did for three months and I was released and moved on to work with the Young Women in the ward. That lasted for about nine months and I was called to be the Cubmaster.

I was not a happy camper.  My heart was broken and I resented being back into Cub Scouts for numerous reasons, but I did it. I “played” Cubmaster, as uncomfortable as it was. I also attended roundtable.  I loved the boys and after a few months gained a testimony that Cub Scouting could make a positive difference in the lives of young boys. Although I was unsure how to go about it, I knew it could happen.

Fortunately, I have two amazing daughters along with those seven boys. One daughter and her husband met at Scout Camp in Idaho. They seemed to be drawn into the program wherever they lived.  She was serving in Cub Scouts and was my mentor, and she tried her best to convince me to follow her to Akela’s Council. It was costly. I’d be leaving my garden and animals for nearly a week. She persisted, informing me of scholarships available from most stakes. I checked with the bishopric and they thought our stake would pay for half the cost. Finally, I relented, registered a little late and attended Akela’s Council 29.  As it turns out, it was by far the best Scouting decision I ever, ever made.

Tamara, my daughter, found others to carpool with to AC29. I was only about an hour away, so I packed up my car early in the morning and drove down. I was nervous and hoping Tamara and I could be together while there. She was the reason I was going, to do something with my daughter.

That reason soon changed. Although my daughter and I tented together, we didn’t work closely during the day. That was good, because I had to stand on my own. It didn’t take long until the early mornings, late nights and “more than one could digest” days were filled with laughing, creating, learning, and endearing friendships.   Many of these friendships continue, especially as we support each other in the Scouting adventure

One of the highlights of Akela’s Council was rubbing shoulders with some of the happiest, most enthusiastic, and knowledgeable people in Cub Scouting. I’ve come to discover that people involved and committed to Cubs are some of the happiest people in the world. Rubbing shoulders all day with committed Cub Scouters was the greatest. Scouters who really did love the Cub Scout program. They shared their love of Scouting and how it could build and bless the lives of young boys and it was fun. These wonderful leaders were directing, teaching, and enabling me to become a more committed, knowledgeable, fun Cubmaster and to love it all.  I was learning the “how,” while having a blast.

I have since been released from Cub Scouts. I have served on Akela’s Council staff two times and this year will be my third, AC32.  I volunteer at Roundtable. I’ve gone to Wood Badge.  Because of Akela’s Council, Cub Scouting is now a choice. A choice because I recognize the potential it has to build responsible boys—boys with character and purpose.  It is part of the pathway for LDS boys to become righteous priesthood holders, husbands and fathers. When implemented properly, the potential for building boys of ANY faith is only limited by the commitment, knowledge and love of the leaders.

I originally went to Akela’s Council because of my daughter. Now, I go to share Cub Scout Spirit, to help other leaders gain tools for having fun and working with the boys and to continue learning.  I was called to serve and now I choose to serve.  Every boy deserves a trained leader and Akela’s Council is the pinnacle of Cub Scout training.

Author: Annette Ward | Assistant Roundtable Commissioner and Merit Badge Counselor in the Mt. Nebo District

This post was copied from the Blog of the Utah National Parks Council. 

This article used to be  found at  http://blog.utahscouts.org/cub-scouting/went-akelas-council-back-go-now/

Akela's Council Helped Fix My Pack

This blog post is on "The Voice of Scouting" and can be found here... 
https://voiceofscouting.org/akelas-council-helped-fix-pack

My son entered Cub Scouts through a Tiger Den in 2010. The Pack is a traditional pack chartered at his elementary school. Long before his enrollment, I had been leading a small Girl Scout troop and struggling. I had my own daughter, who is on the Autism spectrum, and only 3 other girls, only one of whom showed up on a regular basis. I had remembered Scouts as being the best thing I had done in my youth, but the program had changed, and direction and training was lacking.

From the beginning, my son asked if I would be his den leader. Because of the stress of the Girl Scout troop, my husband said no. So I left them to attend Scouts on their own. In March of 2011, my husband came home from the den meeting and announced that he signed us up to be leaders for the Tiger den as no one had stepped up to do it. I joke that it was pretty much the last time I saw him. I had never been to a meeting, never had brothers and was quite the fish out of water. Cub Scouting was completely different than Girl Scouts!

We had a nice pack, but over the years lack of parent involvement had really dragged on a lot of the leadership. The Committee composition was just den leaders…everyone carried more than one job. On top of that, it didn’t function as it should. Our first Committee Chair quit suddenly and moved to a different school. Several people quickly rotated through the Cubmaster position. Enrollment dropped. Those who were enrolled, were made up of very high energy children. Pack meetings became very stressful and chaotic.

The Pack had a habit of planning meetings only one week before, and frankly, they were boring. Parents sat in the back on their phones and let their kids run amuck. When the next Cubmaster and Committee Chair resigned, I jumped into the position. I had wanted to do more and try to get the pack back on track. We had lousy popcorn sales (we were 100% self-funded), lousy attendance and a dull program.

Akela’s Council Cubmaster at opening ceremony

I had done a lot of google searches and came across the Akela’s Council blog. At first, I just liked the ideas. When our Council held their first PowWow training after many years, I enrolled. A few of the classes were helpful, but the Council also had issues with volunteering and had to cut and condense a few of the classes that I wanted to take. This is when I first heard of LDS programming and realized that there were some differences.

I went searching for more information on things that were mentioned. This is when I found the Article about Akela’s Council Training. I was determined to go. I attended AC 30 in July of 2014. It was a quite the drive from Lincoln, NE to Tifie Scout Camp in Utah, but I was up for the challenge.

I was nervous attending this training with no one I knew. What happened, though, was a deep kinship with those who attended. We attended classes, watched skits presenting material, prepared special projects, and participated like any cub scout would in the numerous activities. Although lack of sleep was common, lack of warmth and community was not. Even though I was the only non-LDS member and didn’t work in an LDS unit, this was not an issue. There were very few segments that didn’t pertain to my traditional unit.

Sadly, the days flew by. I cannot remember a time when I had more fun or developed deeper friendships in such a short span of time. I left teary, but with a new energy for leading.

My Committee supported me, but was doubtful one training could make any difference. I laid out what I was going to be doing at Pack meetings. My husband thought most were hokey, but I was determined. I had some fear of standing in front of people making a fool out of myself, but the boys ate it up! I had to be creative in how to decorate with our space, but I’ve made it work. There is still a lot of things presented at AC30 that I want to implement and am slowly adding to the Pack. At my last Boy Talk in the fall, I not only had a large interest from boys, but the girls wanted to join as well!

Our enrollment since AC30 has doubled, as has our Committee size. Parent involvement is improving. The majority of boys attend every meeting, every outing, every Council sponsored event. Our Popcorn sales have been phenomenal. We still have a ways to go, but instead of “we can’t” the attitude is “how can we”. I believe this is all a result of my attending AC and finding my passion. In fact, when my son crossed over to Boy Scouts, I stayed on as Cubmaster.

Recently, I became the Registrar through my Council. The training has helped me tremendously in that respect as well. I see many newly appointed leaders come in bewildered. I have great working knowledge of how an LDS Pack functions, and have great resources to direct new leaders to. Of course, I also direct them to Akela’s Council!

Do your boys a favor, do not hesitate to attend Akela’s Council. I wish I had done it years ago!

Jamalee Scaggs

https://www.facebook.com/jamalee.scaggs/about

Jamalee is a Cubmaster in Lincoln, Nebraska and is registrar for the Cornhusker Council. She is the proud mother of 2; Tahlia, a Cadette Girl Scout, and Julian, a Boy Scout about to complete his Tenderfoot Rank. She says: "Akela's Council is definitely the highlight of my Scouting career thus far!"

Generations of Cub Scouting and Akela’s Council

This post was copied from the Blog of the Utah National Parks Council. 

To see the blog post, CLICK HERE 

Cub Scouting has been a part of my life since I was a little girl. I watched my mother lead my younger brother’s den, train countless other leaders in our district and council, and travel all over the state while on council business. We even took a family vacation to Philmont Scout Ranch one summer so she could attend training there. She believed that every boy deserved a well-trained leader and took the time to attend Wood Badge and earn her beads. Because of her hard work and years of service, she has received several awards, including the Silver Beaver, and was recognized as one of the Influential Women in Scouting in the Utah National Park Council.

Not long after I began my own Cub Scouting adventures as an assistant Cubmaster, my mom strongly recommended that I go to Akela’s Council. She was a participant in 1992 and loved it. She knew that any Cub Scout leader, new or experienced, would come away from Akela’s Council with new ideas and a recharged attitude towards the program.

I finally decided to go in the summer of 2011 for Course 27 and it seemed like the universe was against me. I was nervous about leaving my 22 month old daughter for a week, my husband was going to be overseas with the military, and just after I registered and paid I found out that my stake was not going to be reimbursing me for part of the cost. I almost gave up on going to Akela’s Council.

Thankfully, my mom, my prime example in Cub Scouts, came to my rescue. She reaffirmed that my daughter would have an amazing time staying with Grandma and Grandpa and even offered to help pay. My husband, who supports my work in Cub Scouts without blinking an eye, told me that I needed to go and that everything would be okay, even if he was so far away. I was also blessed that two staff members for my course worked to get me a scholarship to help pay for the course.

The morning that I drove up the mountain to Tifie Scout Camp, I was so nervous, but I knew that I needed to be at Akela’s Council. When I arrived I was given a bag, a binder, and told I would be in the Cheyenne Den and our color was purple. I looked down at my wrist and smiled at my new purple watch that I had purchased just for Akela’s Council. Before heading to the opening ceremony with the other participants I called my mom to let her know I was there safely. When I told her what den I was in, she gave an excited gasp and told me that she was a Cheyenne too!

That week was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. The presentations and activities were fun and informative. I picked up some great ideas to bring back to my Pack and set some goals to improve my own work as an assistant Cubmaster. I saw and experienced first-hand what my mom had talked about for years. She was on my mind a lot that week and I was thrilled to be able to share those experiences with her. I finally started to see why she loved the Cub Scout program so much and did all she could to make sure her boys had an excited, enthusiastic, and trained leader.

A few years later I had the chance to be on staff for Akela’s Council 31 in 2015 and found another connection for my mom and me. The year I was a participant, my den leader explained that he had made one of the displays that is used as part of the course every year. While going through the supplies and other things needed for course that year, I found the original display that my den leader had fashioned his after. Stamped on the back was a note that it had been handmade by my mother’s den leader many years before.

I am now the Cubmaster of my Pack and have been on Akela’s Council staff twice and am looking forward to my third experience this fall, this time as the Cheyenne Den Leader. I know that I could not have been as successful as I have been without the amazing example of my mother and the invaluable experiences gained as an Akela’s Council participant and staff member. I would encourage any Cub Scout leader who wants to feel more prepared for Den Meeting, Pack Meeting or as a Committee Member to take advantage of the amazing resources available at Akela’s Council. You will come away with countless new ideas for your boys to enjoy and be more able to help your Pack grow in whatever capacity you serve.

For more information, go to AkelasCouncil.com

Online Registration Is Now Open!!  

Click Here to attend in June or 
Click Here to attend in September

Author: Christa Twitchell | serves as Cubmaster in Pack 922 chartered by the LDS Spring Creek Eighth Ward, Springville Spring Creek Stake. She is serving on staff for Akela’s Council this year

How Akela's Council Cub Scout Leader Training Changed My Mind About Cub Scouting

How Akela’s Council Changed My Mind About Cub Scouting

This post was copied from the Blog of the Utah National Parks Council. 

To see the blog post, CLICK HERE 

I went to Akela’s Council Cub Scout Leader Training 6 years ago when I was only a member of the Pack committee (serving in our LDS ward primary presidency). I wanted our pack to have a great program but I didn’t know much about Cub Scouting so this seemed like a great chance to learn.

Many people in my life didn’t have a great opinion of Scouting in general and thought of it as largely a waste of time. Not having had anything to do with it up till then I must admit I wasn’t too excited about my new position. But I’m the kind of person who likes to do things right so I wanted to get a good idea of what I was supposed to do and what a good Scouting program should be, so my husband (the Cubmaster at the time) and I decided we should go.

I was expecting 4 days of roundtable-like training’s and a lot of sitting around taking notes. Boy was I surprised! It was an adventure from start to finish and I came away with a passion for cub scouting.

At Akela’s Council I had life changing experiences and made lifetime connections. Being able to step away from the bustle of life for a few days and learn and grow with all the people there was unforgettable. We got to work on projects, share ideas, complete challenges, have a great time, learn and laugh a lot.  It is such a neat program and the individuals that made it all happen were so generous and kind, their examples and friendship really touched me and I still draw on the things I learned from them.

There were many things that our pack just wasn’t doing and I got to see first hand how much better things go when the right systems and tools are in place. I also realized how significant the small things could be to the boys and the importance of belonging, and I came away determined to help the boys in my pack feel wanted and loved. I wanted to share with my pack how fun cub scouting could be.

Our pack program improved so much when we started implementing the things we learned. We even had life long Scouters approach us at some of the pack meetings to say how impressed they were with the quality of program that they saw. I don’t say this to brag only to say that it was because we were using the things we learned at Akela’s council and it really really did make a difference in our pack. I’m so glad that I went.  I am now serving as a Den Leader, and this time I am very prepared.

To learn more about Akela's Council, please visit our website AkelasCouncil.com

If you want to know more check out this YouTube video:

By Celeste Hunt - Hurricane, Utah

This post was copied from the Blog of the Utah National Parks Council. 

To see the blog post, go to http://blog.utahscouts.org/training-2/how-akelas-council-changed-my-mind-about-cub-scouting/