Totin’ Chip

We’re going to earn our Totin’ Chip cards this week. What, you may ask, is a Totin’ Chip? It is a certification that grants a Scout the right to carry and use woods tools such as knives, axes, and saws. We’re planning to do some fun camp outs when things warm up a little and the ability to safely use woods tools are essential to being able to take care of yourselves in the outdoors.


The key word here is "safely." Keep in mind that even if you earn your Totin' Chip, I reserve the right to confiscate both your card and your tool if I catch you endangering yourself or others. If I do confiscate them, you can count on getting them back about the time you turn 30.

I am going to bring a variety of tools to use for instruction, but on Sunday some of you asked if you should bring your knives. I’ll leave that up to your parents. If you do bring a knife, I insist that you leave it in your pocket until I tell you otherwise. I don’t want you hurting yourself or, even worse, hurting others.

Here are some of the requirements we'll be covering.

The Scout must show his Scout leader, or someone designated by his leader, that he understands his responsibility to do the following:

1. Read and understand woods tools use and safety rules from the Boy Scout Handbook.
2. Demonstrate proper handling, care, and use of the pocket knife, ax, and saw.
3. Use the knife, ax, and saw as tools, not playthings.
4. Respect all safety rules to protect others.
5. Respect property. Cut living and dead trees only with permission and with good reason.
6. Subscribe to the Outdoor Code.

The Scout's "Totin' Rights" can be taken from him if he fails in his responsibility.

Don't forget, the uniform bribe is still available.

Wii Tournament

So I guess we found a way to get the boys to attend – offer video game time! We worked on Citizenship in the World for a while and then broke down and played Mario Cart. Gavin – he of the large noggin – won most of the rounds, though I think Tristan, Jonny and Colin won a round or two too. Someone brought cookies by for Sister Rea so refreshments were taken care of. The boys swarmed over them like locusts but they were nice enough to leave one for me and Sister Rea.

I am happy to say I got to give away two dollars tonight. Both Tristan and Alex collected on the uniform bribe.
Our initial plan was for ice fishing next week but we are going to delay that until the 21st of February. Gavin has promised to make reservations this week for laser tag next Wednesday. Don't forget to bring $6.

Come be a Citizen!

We have Citizenship in the World on the schedule for this week. I thought that we could meet at my house because a couple of the requirements are to visit some web pages - I’ll just hook the computer up to the big TV.

If we hurry on the merit badge, maybe we can have a little tournament on the Wii while we’re at it… :)

This is a required merit badge for your Eagle, so do your best to make it. Remember, the uniform bribe is still in effect.

Be prepared, download and print the worksheet for the Citizenship in the World merit badge.

Reminder

Just a reminder, we are not meeting this week because of the holiday. See you next week!

Finished with Aviation

We pretty much finished up the Aviation merit badge last night. The boys who were there just have to make the paper plane from the pattern Brother Thompson will hand out on Sunday and you are done!

Sometimes it is a tough slog to get through all the academic requirements for some of these merit badges but the boys who were there stuck with it and got it done.


Brother Thompson should also be congratulated for his heroic efforts in teaching this badge. Teaching a bunch of scouts while watching three kids of his own is no easy job but he handled it with grace.

Once again, Alex was the sole recipient of the uniform bribe. I’ve got a roll of bills in burning a hole in my pocket just waiting to he handed out to a scout who wears his uniform. Better start collecting before I spend it all on diet coke.


Remember, no scouts for the next two weeks.

Merry Christmas!

Finishing Up Aviation

As announced on Sunday, we’ll meet on Wednesday to finish off the Aviation merit badge this week. If you weren’t there for the first meeting/lesson, come anyway because Brother Thompson said he would catch you up. Be prepared and download and print the merit badge worksheet.

We’ll meet at 7:00 at the church. Don’t forget the uniform bribe.

Also, those of you who attended the BYU PowWow need to get your completed merit badge cards to me so you can actually get the merit badges you earned. I know Jared and Gavin needed to do a couple things to finish theirs up. Don’t let this slip by. I’d hate for all your work to be for nothing.

Aviation for Dummies

We won't be having Scouts on Wednesday the 10th because we’ll be singing Christmas Carols and delivering baskets as a combined activity on Tuesday the 9th. Make sure you dress warm, and wear a hat, and sing loud.

As you'll recall, last week Brother Thompson took the troop to work with him at Life Flight. It was a long drive but a very worthwhile trip. We worked on the first half of the Aviation Merit Badge and got a tour of the aircraft in the hangar. We'll be finishing up the Aviation Merit Badge on Wednesday, December 17. Brother Thompson says he'll catch you up then if you missed the first lesson. Click here to download the worksheet for the Aviation Merit Badge.

Another item of note - Alex was the only recipient last week of my weekly uniform bribe. Spend it well, Alex! Maybe the rest of you slackers will be willing to enrich yourselves in the future by wearing your scout uniforms. :)