I have been in scouting since I was 8 years old. I am an Eagle Scout and have served as Assistant Scoutmaster, Unit Commissioner, Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and Charter Organization Representative. I am currently serving as a Scout Committee Member. This blog has a few items I have collected over the years that may help assist you in your scouting adventures.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
New my.Scouting Tool's New Makeover!
National Boys Scouts of America is creating a new my.Scouting site to help in showing your training completed, membership information, local calendar and other enhancements coming. Your regular logon for training should work on this new site. Click the link at the top of the page to review.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Cub Scout Leaders Call To Monthly Roundtable
Dear Cub Scout Leaders,
The Stake Presidency, Stake Primary Leadership and I have been working to better support, train and inspire all our Ward Primary Presidencies and Cub Scout Leaders to be adequately prepared and qualified to serve effectively in your Ward Cub Scout programs, as they assist parents in helping young boys on the path of becoming righteous priesthood holders. Attached is a letter from The Stake Presidency expressing their feelings, commitment and support of the cub scout leaders and programs. A key element in helping these leaders is to attend the monthly cub scout roundtable training that the Alpine District puts on each month. Currently of the 100+ that are invited from our stake, less than 10 typically attend and 4 of them are Stake leaders.
President Livingston has suggested that a face to face, priesthood-directed discussion, from the bishopric counselor over primary, about this letter and topic, be held with all the Primary Presidencies and Cub Scout Leaders, is the first place to start. We urge that for at least the first few months, all of the adult leaders involved in cub scouting attend roundtable together and help develop a vision for how it can help and bless them in their callings. After a period of time and a proper vision is established for your Ward, then a sustainable divide and conquer plan for attendance at roundtable may be sufficient. I will follow-up with each Bishopric Counselor to get feedback on their discussions with the cub leaders and how as stake leadership we can give meaningful support.
Roundtable is held in 2014 on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00pm at the 6700 West 10400 North Highland, Canterbury Chapel Leaders are encouraged to attend the Cub Scout Leader Pow Wow (more info will be coming in the next few months).
Our intent is truly to help your Ward Cub leaders, boys and programs.
Sincerely
Ron Ward
Stake HC
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Training of a New Young Men Leader
Dear Brethren,
We have been hard at work putting together, with inspiration from our Heavenly Father and our Stake President's blessing, a training document. The training is designed to not only jump start a new YM leader, but also give ongoing training to the new and seasoned leader. We hopefully are all students of our calling and desire to learn and grow in the gospel and in our callings.
When new YM presidencies are called we will meet with them and do additional training. I also want to extend an invitation to meet with any existing YM presidencies, who feel like additional training and counsel would help them become better leaders. In turn helping our youth to, "Come unto Christ", and better prepare them for temple ordinances.
As always there is monthly training at roundtable. There are new and exciting changes happening at roundtable starting in January. We hope are will take advantage and attend roundtable.
Attached is the training material. We are distributing it to all ward YM presidencies and bishoprics in the stake. Please see that all advisers receive a copy also.
To the CORs. When extending new calls in the YM organization, use this as a teaching tool as well as making them aware of their stewardship.
To all YM leaders. I ask that you use the training material in your personal study, in your YM presidency meetings, in the youth quorum presidency meetings. For as the scriptures say, let everyone learn his duty and act in all diligence. I can promise you that as you study and ponder, the Spirit will reveal to you what you should do. We will then align more with the will of our Heavenly Father, blessing not only our lives, but more importantly our families and those we have stewardship over. I have a testimony of this work. We are blessed with great men like you in this stake, and I know the Lord is aware of you and loves you.
Thank you for your dedication and service,
Shawn Lunt
Stake YM President
Dear New Ward Young Men Leader:
Welcome, and congratulations on your new calling! Whether you are new to the program or are a seasoned veteran, we are excited to work alongside you as we strive to serve the great young men in the Pleasant Grove Manila Stake.
We know from experience that callings in the Young Men Organization can, at times, feel a little overwhelming! We want you to know we are here to help and support you. To assist in this process, we have implemented a new leader orientation that consists of the following:
Thank you so much for service. We understand that this may seem like a lot to do and study, but we know that the Lord will bless you as you study and prepare to bless the lives of the young men you are called to serve. Please feel free to call on us at any time.
Sincerely,
Pleasant Grove Manila Stake Young Men Presidency
President Shawn Lunt
Brother Todd Stevenson
Brother Eric Teel
“QUICK START” PROGRAM
Week 1 – Overview
Welcome, and congratulations on your new calling! Whether you are new to the program or are a seasoned veteran, we are excited to work alongside you as we strive to serve the great young men in the Pleasant Grove Manila Stake.
We know from experience that callings in the Young Men Organization can, at times, feel a little overwhelming! We want you to know we are here to help and support you. To assist in this process, we have implemented a new leader orientation that consists of the following:
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A “Quick Start” Program to help guide you for the first few weeks in your calling.
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An Orientation Training to be held sometime during the first month in your calling.
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A follow up visit to take place within 60-90 days of the Orientation Training.
Thank you so much for service. We understand that this may seem like a lot to do and study, but we know that the Lord will bless you as you study and prepare to bless the lives of the young men you are called to serve. Please feel free to call on us at any time.
Sincerely,
Pleasant Grove Manila Stake Young Men Presidency
President Shawn Lunt
Brother Todd Stevenson
Brother Eric Teel
“QUICK START” PROGRAM
Week 1 – Overview
- Attend the temple.
- If you haven’t already done so, obtain a training sign-in and complete the online BSA Youth Protection Training.
- Visit with the outgoing presidency member about
- (1) the successes and challenges they have faced and
- (2) the young men in the quorum to which you are assigned.
- Visit with the member of the bishopric who presides over your assigned quorum about their vision for you in your calling.
- Read the online summary of the Responsibilities of Ward young Men Presidency (and watch a few of the videos that look interesting.)
- Read or watch “O Be Wise,” by M. Russell Ballard.
- Seek guidance from the Spirit, identify one other action item to accomplish, write it down, then (speedily, Alma 8:18) follow through on the direction you receive.
Week 2 – Conversion & Duty to God
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Read the ”Aaronic Priesthood” section of Handbook 2.
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Read “We Must Raise Our Sights,” by Henry B. Eyring.
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Read or watch “Converted Unto the Lord,” by David A. Bednar.
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Review the Duty to God Program for the quorum to which you are assigned.
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Seek guidance from the Spirit, identify one other action item to accomplish, write it down, then (speedily,
Alma 8:18) follow through on the direction you receive.
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Read the LDS Scouting Handbook.
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Review the LDS Scout Leader Training Guidelines.
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Complete the online BSA Fast Start Training for your position.
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Read “Capturing the Vision of Scouting,” by David L. Beck.
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Seek guidance from the Spirit, identify one other action item to accomplish, write it down, then (speedily,
Alma 8:18) follow through on the direction you receive.
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Scan through the “Come, Follow Me” Curriculum Training Videos and view a few that appear interesting
or particularly applicable.
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Read “My Teachers Quorum is an MTC,” October 2013 Ensign.
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Obtain a copy of or review online the “Teaching, No Greater Call” manual.
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Talk with your ward Sunday School President to find out when the next “Teaching the Gospel” course will
be held and make plans to attend.
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Seek guidance from the Spirit, identify one other action item to accomplish, write it down, then (speedily,
Alma 8:18) follow through on the direction you receive.
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Attend the temple.
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Read the “Leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ” section of Handbook 2.
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Scan through the videos in the Aaronic Priesthood Leadership Training Library , including those listed
under “Leadership Principles,” and view a few that appear interesting or particularly applicable.
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Ponder and write down any promptings you receive regarding how best to help the young men learn
leadership and magnify their priesthood. Consider reading or watching the following: - “To the Aaronic Priesthood: Preparing for the Decade of Decision,” by Robert D. Hales.
- “Your Sacred Duty to Minister,” by David L. Beck.
- “The Power of the Priesthood in the Boy,” by Ted R. Callister.
- Seek guidance from the Spirit, identify one other action item to accomplish, write it down, then (speedily, Alma 8:18) follow through on the direction you receive.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
2014 Varsity Scouts 12-Month Calendar
Varsity Scouts Calendar 2014
January
Jan 1 – No Scouts – Holiday
Jan 8 – Joint Activity (Teacher’s Quorum in Charge)
Jan 15 – Bowling
Jan 21 – Stake High Adventure Showcase (Tuesday, At A Frame Chapel)
Jan 29- No Scouts (Campout Friday)
Jan 31, 1 – Campout Gunther Cabin (Snowshoe / Service)
Feb 5 – Snow Cave Training (Brother Henderson)
Feb 9 – Stake Youth Fireside (7PM)
Feb 12 – Joint Activity
Feb 19 – Ski Night (Sundance)
Feb 26 – No Scouts (Campout Friday)
Feb 28, 1 – Campout Snow Cave (Mutual Dell)
Mar 5 – Aviation
Mar 12 – Joint Activity
Mar 19 – Cave Training (Brother Fairbanks)
Mar 26 – No Scouts (Campout Friday)
Mar 28, 29 – Campout (Goshute Cave)
Apr 2 – Geode Hunting Intro
Apr 9 – Joint Activity
Apr 16 – Backpacking Prep
Apr 23 – No Scouts (Campout Friday)
Apr 25, 26 – Geode Campout / Hike
May 7 – Water Certification
May 14 – Joint Activity
May 21 – No Scouts (Day Hike Saturday)
May 24 – Mount Mahogany Hike
May 28 – Evening Hike
Jun 2-7 Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Backpacking High Adventure!!!!
Jun 11 – Joint Activity
Jun 18 – Service – Mountain Clean Up
Jun 25 – BBQ Cooking Class
Jul 2 – Swimming Party with Mia Maids (Smith’s Pool)
Jul 9 – Joint Activity
Jul 16 – Dutch Oven Cooking Class
Jul 23 – Varsity Scout Cook-Off of Death
Jul 30 – No Scouts (Stake Camp Helaman Campout Friday)
Aug 1, 2 – Campout (Stake Camp Helaman)
Aug 6 – Downhill Draper Canyon Bike
Aug 13 – Joint Activity
Aug 20 – Water Gun Run 5K Prep
Aug 27 – Water Gun Run 5K Prep
Aug 30 – Water Gun Run 5K Race!
Sep 3 – Rock Climbing
Sep 9 – Joint Activity
Sep 17 – Rock Climbing
Sep 24 – Fly Fishing
Sep 30 – Stake High Adventure Showcase
Oct 1 – No Scouts (High Adventure Showcase)
Oct 8 – Joint Activity
Oct 15 - Gourmet Cooking Class (Brother Cook)
Oct 22 – Gourmet Cooking Class (Brother Cook)
Oct 29 – Make Gourmet Meal for Mia Maids
Nov 5 – Sword Making Demonstration
Nov 12 – Fencing Class
Nov 19 – Family History Temple Night
Nov 26 – Parent’s Night
Dec 3 – No Scouts (Campout Friday)
Dec 5, 6 – Bear Lake Cabin Campout (Annual Planning Meeting)
Dec 10 – Joint Activity
Dec 17 – Board Game Night and Gourmet Hot Cocoa
Dec 24 – No Scouts
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
November Merit Badge Round-Up: Communications on Saturday, November 23, 2013 @ 8:00 AM
November Merit Badge Round-Up - Communications Merit Badge
Saturday, November 23rd, 8:00AM, Mahogany Chapel
What to Bring:
Wear scout uniform
Blue Merit Badge card signed by your leader
Printed Communications PDF workbook
Workbook link: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/ index.php/Communications
Pencil or Pen
Scouting Spirit to learn
Prerequisites - Please review the merit badge requirements well ahead of time so scouts may have enough time to complete the prerequisites before the Round-up. To receive a completed merit badge card at the Round-up, prerequisite requirement work needs to be written legibly in the workbook and signed by a scouting leader or parent as complete.
Req 1 - Will be done at the Round-up
Req 2 - Will be done at the Round-up
Req 3 - Must give 5 minute talk before the Round-up - church sacrament talks count. In the workbook indicate date talk was given, topic, main points and have it signed by a parent or leader.
Req 4 - Must perform interview before the Round-up. Write introduction to interviewee in the workbook and have it signed by a parent or leader.
Req 5 - Must attend public meeting before the Round-up. Record meetings notes in the workbook and have it signed by a parent or leader. Some upcoming city meetings you could attend:
Oct 23, 7:00pm - PG GO Bond meeting - Grovecrest Elementary
Oct 24, 7:00pm - PG GO Bond Meeting - Manila Elementary
Oct 24, 7:00pm - PG Planning Commission Meeting
Oct 24, 7:00pm - Cedar Hills Planning Commission Meeting
Nov 12, 6:00pm - Alpine school board meeting, district offices
Nov 14, 7:00pm - Cedar Hills Planning Commission Meeting
Nov 19, 7:00pm - Cedar Hills City Council Meeting
Req 6 - Will be done at the Round-up
Req 7 - Will be done at the Round-up
Req 8 - Must plan and be the MC before the Round-up. Record the program's agenda in the workbook and have it signed by a parent or leader.
Req 9 - Will be done at the Round-up



