Committee Meeting - Monday, April 4

PARENTS WANTED!!!  PLEASE ATTEND MONDAY'S COMMITTEE MEETING TO HELP THE PACK MAKE PLANS AND DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR SON'S SCOUT ACTIVITIES.

The Pack Committee helps ensure that our Cub Scouts are offered fun-filled and meaningful events through the year. 

Parents please attend and help enrich and strengthen our Pack. Topics include upcoming pack meeting plans, assignments for the next month and upcoming large-scale activities.  

We have a few leadership roles we would love to have filled and just by coming to these meetings -- you could help the Pack tremendously!

The meeting is at 7pm at the Hallelujah Center on Monday, April 4.  

Day Camp 2016

Save the date!  This year's Mustang District Cub Scout Day Camp's dates are June 6-10 and the theme is CSI: Cub Scout Investigators!  The camp takes place at Harvest Church located at 7200 Denton Highway, Watauga.  


Cub Scout Day Camp is the place for outdoor adventure and Cub Scout FUN! It’s a week of activities and programs for Cub Scouts of all ranks not regularly found in den or pack activities.  These include BB gun safety & shooting, archery, hiking, water activities, and outdoor skills, as well as crafts, games, and advancement. 

Registration starts in April and early registration ends May 16.  Camp is $95 per scout. Please note that camperships ARE available to cover half the cost for those in need.  You will need to complete this form and submit it to the Committee Chair or Cubmaster as soon as registration opens.  

Cub Scout Day Camp is completely volunteer run which means we are counting on our parents to register as a volunteer at least one day during the week.  We require a total of FOUR PARENTS PER DAY for our Pack; two parents to chaperone the Cub Scout den and two parents to chaperone the Webelos den.  

Recruiter Strips

One of the best ways to enjoy Cub Scouts is to do it with friends!  What a better way to share in fellowship with people you already know and love, than in the Scouting Program! 

Do you know your sons can earn a special patch just for getting a friend to sign up?  

Our spring recruiting drive is underway for the Cub Scout program that will begin this summer. (Oh yes, we are YEAR ROUND and have TONS of fun in the summer!) If your son has a friend that you think would be interested in joining, we encourage our scouts to bring a friend to the April Pack Meeting.  

We will have leadership available to answer parent questions so that they can get started in their Cub Scout journey the first day of summer (or sooner) and even attend the BEST District Day Camp in Texas!

We will be sending a few flyers home with each scout to give to a friend and would invite our parents, too, to participate in the recruiting efforts to continue to make Pack 1910 one of the best around!

Cub Scout Purposes – Preparation for Boy Scouts

Cub Scouting helps a boy learn and grow in many ways. It also prepares him to be a Boy Scout. Cub Scouting has 10 Purposes—these are the WHY part of Cub Scouting.  There are also 7 methods of Cub Scouting and they are the HOW of Cub Scouting.  The methods are used to achieve the purposes.  Over the next few weeks/months I will be focusing on the purposes (which will naturally include some of the methods) of Cub Scouting.

Purposes of Cub Scouting

1. Character Development	6. Respectful Relationships
2. Spiritual Growth	7. Personal Achievement
3. Good Citizenship	8. Friendly Service
4. Sportsmanship and Fitness	9. Fun and Adventure
5. Family Understanding	10. Preparation for Boy Scouts

I’d like to take a look at some of the reasons WHY Cub Scouting is important and relevant as well as HOW we achieve those purposes and I’d like to start at the end. (Why? Just because…)  So lets start with…Cub Scout Purpose #10—Preparation for Boy Scouts

HOW does Cub Scouting prepare Boys Scouts?  There are very likely more ways than just these 12 that I have thought of and listed here.  Feel free to leave your ideas and additions in the comment section at the end.

1.  Scout Oath & Law – One of the most obvious ways that Cub Scouting helps prepare a boy to be a Boy Scout is directly due to the change last year (2015) to One Oath and Law.  Cub Scouting now gives a boy years of preparation in that regard.  In a Cub Scout pack each month one of the 12 points of the Scout Law is used as the focus.  Each week at den meetings boys should be reciting the Scout Oath and Law.  
2. Cub Scout Adventures are sort of like merit badges. In Cub Scouting there are various adventures. Some adventures are required and some are electives. Each adventure has multiple requirements and each one should take some time. When a boy has completed that adventure, whether it is done with his den, with his family, or by himself, he should be awarded the accompanying adventure loop or pin (depending on rank). These completed adventures lead him towards earning his rank. There may not be merit badge counselors involved (yes it is a different process) but I believe that by completing adventures he is taking the first step towards knowing how to earn Boy Scout ranks as well.  In Boy Scouting the deadlines might be much further out  and a bit more customizable but his Cub Scout experience should help him understand how to set goals and give him some skills to set the goals needed to attain the rank he’s shooting for.
   
3. Personal Responsibility – A Cub Scout who for years has been required to keep track of his uniform and his handbook and wear/bring it to den meetings (Moms, please let him do this himself!) is a Boy Scout who will be used to wearing his uniform and know where his handbook is so he is able to bring it to patrol meetings too. Now there is a catch, they need to use it at den meetings often enough for them to feel the need to bring it. 
4. Leadership – In Cub Scouting there are 2 basic leadership positions that each boy should get a chance at —Denner and Assistant Denner.  The duties of the Denner are determined by the den leader.  And his assistant is usually just a back up in case the Denner isn’t there, but the assistant could certainly have his own set of responsibilities.  Learning to lead is an important skill, the beginnings of which can be taught in Cub Scouts.  A boy who learned the basics of leadership in Cub Scouts will better understand his role in the Boy Scout Patrol.
5. Buddy System – Cub Scouts who have been taught about the importance of the buddy system at a young age will be Boy Scouts who are used to doing things with a buddy.  In Cub Scouts there really isn’t a whole lot that actually requires them to have a buddy (Tigers have the advantage here with their Tiger Partner) but there are many ways to teach about and use the buddy system.  When hiking or swimming of course it is best to have the boys pick (or assign them) a buddy.  Of course first you need to teach them about WHY they are safer with a buddy through lots of “what if” scenarios. 
6. Citizenship –  All boys are part of a family.  Large or small he usually understands what a family is and what part he plays in it. Odds are he has never been told he is a “Citizen” of his family but essentially he is.    In Cub Scouting boys are placed in dens.  Ideally dens should be a group of 6-8 boys, similar in age, working towards the same rank.  Each pack is made up of multiple dens.  In Cub Scouting he learns how being a part of a den can help (or not) the pack as a whole.  This helps them understand the “Duty to Country” part of the Scout Oath they repeat weekly. And of course regular flag ceremonies and learning about the proper care and use of the US flag is a must for every citizen and will be second nature to a Boy Scout who was first a Cub Scout.
7. Service – Cub Scouts, as with all Scouting, have many opportunities to provide service— service to their families, service to their den, service to their chartering organization and to their community.  Cub Scouts in their own small ways can even help provide service to the world.  Service should be a regular part of every scouting unit.  Giving service to others helps with the previously mentioned citizenship as well as the “to help other people at all times” part of the Scout Oath. (Here is a really great article about this very phrase) The new Cub Scout program has even more service opportunities than before to help boys grow and learn and become the kind of young man/scout the world needs. I wrote another article all about the service opportunities, with a helpful chart of requirements for The Boy Scout last fall.  Cub Scouts who are used to participating in den or pack service projects will be better prepared to fulfill the service hours required in Boy Scouting.
8. Cub Scouts Belong – This is part of the above mentioned Citizenship and yet it’s different enough I thought it deserved a separate mention.  As written on page nine in the Cub Scout Leader Book, “Belonging is important to boys; they like to be accepted as part of a group.  In Cub Scouting, boys take part in interesting and meaningful activities with their friends, learning sportsmanship, citizenship and loyalty.  The Cub Scout uniform, symbols like the Cub Scout sign, and being a member of a den help boys feel part of a distinct group that shares a common purpose.”  Cub Scouting gives a boy something worthwhile and positive to belong to.  Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting is about the individual boy but… he is not in it alone.  There is always someone there to help in one way or another and that’s a great life skill to understand too.  We are not alone!  Cub scouts who know what it means to belong to a den and pack will understand what it means to belong to a patrol and troop.
9. Duty to God – Not only is Duty to God a part of the Scout Oath but in the new Cub Scout program one of each the 7 adventures required to earn a rank (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos and Arrow of Light) is a required Duty to God adventure.  Each boy is required to learn about, practice and show what it means to do his Duty to God.  No matter what religion or what a boy and his family believe about God, he is taught to fulfill this duty to the best of his ability.  When a Cub Scout becomes a Boy Scout he will already understand this vital part of the Scout Oath.  He will already have had opportunities to explore and express how he feels he has done and can continue to do his duty to God.
10. Outdoor Experiences – Hiking and Camping are some of the most notable parts of Scouting. Cub Scouts do them first.  For some boys their first camping trip may be because of the new adventure requirements for Cub Scout Camping (You can find a chart with those requirements here). For some boys, Cub Scouting may introduce them to parts of nature and the outside world that they never knew existed. There is something special about being out in nature, seeing all the various parts of nature and learning how they all fit together and affect each other. Boys love to be active and sure you can have relay races in a gym but when you take it outside every boy is faster. Who knows, the boys might even think it’s fun (or at least funny) to play video games outside. The Wii version of skateboards and skiing is nothing like the real thing (Not that I am saying those activities are allowed in Cub Scouting – see the Guide to Safe Scouting for further guidance on appropriate activities). Cub Scouts who have learned about the outdoor code, leave no trace principals, the essential items to take on a hike, who have been camping and spent time in nature will have a much better time on those Boy Scout campouts and other outdoor activities too.
11. Do Your Best – It’s the Cub Scout motto and a part of the Scout Oath too.  Each boy is only required to do his best, not his leader’s, not his parent’s nor that of another boy—HIS best.  This will vary with each boy and that’s okay.  This is where the individual boy really comes into play.  When we teach a boy at a young age that competition is fun, it does not define his worth. So one boy can’t throw a ball as far as another, or run as fast as another. That’s okay. Each boy has his own set of strengths and weaknesses and individual traits that make him… well, him.  The more a boy learns these lessons as a Cub Scout less bullying and teasing there should be in the Boy Scout troop. When he joins Scouting a boy is part of a den/patrol, a part of a team.  And while teamwork and cooperation are important, in the end it truly about the individual. If each individual learned to work hard and always do their best, everyone would be happier individual and as a group.
12. The Scouting Adventure – In the new Cub Scout program one of the required adventures that a boy must complete to earn the Arrow of Light rank is called “The Scouting Adventure” (I wrote an article in The Boy Scout about this last fall too). The main objective of this adventure is to introduce a boy to Boy Scouting. In this adventure he learns about merit badges and what it takes to earn one. He learns about the patrol method and what it means to have a “Boy-led program.” He observes and participates with a Boy Scout troop (twice) which will most likely get him excited about this next step in Scouting. It’s quite obvious how just this one adventure, out of the many a boy will have during his Cub Scout years, helps prepare a boy to be a Boy Scout.

WHY is Preparation for Boy Scouts one of the purposes of Cub Scouting?  First let’s state the obvious—the BSA wants boys to stay in the program.  It helps with recruiting, retention and let’s face it, keeps the program alive.  But let’s set aside the corporate or business aspects of it and it still makes sense that the younger boy program—Cub Scouting—should help a boy do better in the older boy program—Boy Scouts.  Its part of the natural progression.  As a boy gets older he can do more things and so he is required to do more.  He is capable of more so those requirements get harder. It’s all about the boy from young to old (and even older as a leader too) to fulfill the mission of the BSA which is “To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law” and the Vision Statement of the BSA as well: “The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law.”  What city, state and country would not want that from their citizens. The boys in Cub Scouting… that’s where it starts! So, yes, Cub Scouting prepares a boy for Boy Scouting and for life.

So, If Preparation for Boy Scouts, given all the ways that is done, was the only purpose of Cub Scouting, I still think it would be a great program. But it isn’t; there are 9 other purposes besides just this one.  Next time let’s talk about the Cub Scout Purpose of… Character Development.

reprinted with permission by Annaleis Smith.  The full article can be found here.

Ready... Aim... Fire! Shooting Sports Awards

We briefly addressed another award opportunity for the Cub Scouts at the March Pack meeting -- the newly revised Shooting Sports Awards 

Take aim at fun and excitement in your council with the new Cub Scout Shooting Sports Awards. The awards will be offered in three disciplines: BB guns, archery, and a new one -- oh yes... wait for it...

slingshots!?!?!

You heard me... SLING SHOTS!!!

With rank-specific requirements and insignia, there is incentive for boys to earn the awards year after year at camp. Scouts consistently list shooting sports as one of their most-desired outdoor activities and with these new awards, Cub Scouts will hit the bull’s-eye with fun!

Something to note is that Cub Scout shooting sports programs may ONLY be conducted on a district or council level which means Longhorn Council managed family camping events (like the Fall Festival every October), Cub Scout or Webelos resident camp (held each July) or at DAY CAMP!  What another GREAT reason to go to DAY CAMP!

Cub Scouts earn the shooting sports awards in the following order:

1. Earn the patch for whatever rank your son is (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos) for BB gun, archery or sling shot.
2. Earn the pin. Complete the Level 2 requirements for the same discipline (BB gun, archery or sling shot) in which the patch was earned. 

The beauty of this program, too, is that they can earn different patches and pins for each of the disciplines they pursue!  How awesome is that?  Each year they can earn the patch and then the pin (if they choose) for each of the three events.

The reason that these awards are not part of the rank specific adventure loops is not only because of the requirement for there to be trained supervision for each of the three disciplines (bb gun, archery or sling shots) and the fact that they can only take place at authorized events, but also to comply with local laws.  Therefore, the decision was made to make it a “standalone” award, and as such, not part of the adventure program.

Camp Card Sales are ON!

Pack 1910 is pleased to announce the Camp Card Sales program is underway!  

By selling Camp Cards, Scouts can earn their own way to Day Camp! The cards cost $5 each and the boys earn a 50% commission on every sale. This is not a fundraiser for the unit, it's used to pay for Day Camp (or can be used to pay for another camp or Pack function if they're not able to attend Day Camp.)

Oh, and did I mention they best part?  This fundraiser is completely RISK FREE! That's right. Any cards you don't sell, you simply return them and you're done.  Risk Free. 

What specific savings can the boys sell from these cards?

The top and probably the way to obtain the easiest sell is to show an automatic return of your investment by simply spending money at Kroger!

• $5.00 off with a $50 purchase at Kroger 
• Up to 50% off Texas Rangers games… see them over and over at almost ½ price! 
• 50% off Hawaiian Falls water park, and a new year round Adventure Park. 
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center and SEA LIFE Aquarium at Grapevine Mills. 
• $1.00 off Wendy’s Combo Meal ---All Year LONG! 
• Papa John’s 40% off

If you can get your son to sell 30 Camp Cards, that's a $150 sale and a $75 commission, or, stated differently, your Scout has paid for almost 80% of Day Camp!  

While this is an optional fundraiser, we want to encourage participation in order to lessen the direct financial burden on our Pack families. Selling teaches perseverance and being thrifty. Besides, every Scout deserves the opportunity to pay his own way.  

Card check out was at the March 8 Pack meeting.  If you were unable to make the meeting, please see April to check out your cards OR sign up for one of the slots for store-front sales at Kroger.  I encourage to you to do your best! It's a VERY easy sell!

The value of selling Camp Cards:

• Mustang District Day Camp ($95) - 38 cards
• Cub Scout/Webelos Resident Camp ($135) - 54 cards
• NASA (Webelos Only in August) ($55) - 22 cards

Want one more incentive?  Three top selling Scouts from each district will earn a chance
to be awarded a new game console at June round tables!  

All unsold cards and funds are due on or before Tuesday, May 3.

Texas Badge

At the March Pack Meeting we worked on some of the requirements for the Texas Badge. The Texas Badge is an extra badge that the boys can earn and wear as temporary insignia. In other words, it's a temporary patch that is usually hanging from the button or inserted into a plastic sleeve that is hanging from that button so that you may proudly display said awesome patch that they want to wear as part of their record of awesomeness!

Here is a handy-dandy visual aid for your insignia placement viewing pleasure.

But, I digress, back to The Texas Badge.  Printable here

How awesome that you can EARN AN AWARD just for learning some amazing things about this amazing state.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Be an active Cub Scout or Webelos Scout registered in a Pack in Texas. (well, you've all got THAT covered, don'tcha?!  NEXT!

STATE SYMBOLS

• Name the State bird (printable here.)
• State flower (printable here)
• State motto - Friendship
• Sing or recite the words of "Texas, Our Texas"(done at the meeting but found here)

STATE HISTORY

• Draw the six flags of Texas. Tell something important that happened when Texas was under each flag.  These were at the gathering activity table.  Please let me know if you need to have them mailed to you.
• Name a famous Texas. Tell why that person is famous, and what you like or dislike about him or her.  There are a TON of these to choose from:  
• Stephen F. Austin, Davy Crockett among hundreds of others. Try HERE or HERE
• Visit an historical place in Texas. Tell about the important events, which happened there.(this can't be a visit from another ran, it has to be while you are a Webelos.

STATE CULTURE

• Read a story about any Texas subject (fiction or non-fiction). Tell what you learned from the story. (This could have been in school since they started this grade.)
• Find out about the Indians who lived near your community at any time. Tell about some of their history and customs. If you have already done any of these requirements for another Cub Scout or Webelos Scout award, you must do something different for the Texas Badge. For example, if you visited an historical place for another Cub Scout or Webelos Scout award, you should visit a different historical place for the Texas Badge.  Amazing resource here. 

Once your son has completed all of the requirements for the Texas Badge.  They need to complete the application and I believe your den leaders needs to start validating the and submitting them to council.  We are looking at ordering them late April / early May so that you wll have it in time for the bridging ceremony.

Severe Weather Protocol and March Pack Meeting TONIGHT!

What an interesting way to start Pack Meeting Tuesday. 

Welcome to springtime in Texas! In light of today's weather, we thought it would be wise to reiterate our severe weather protocol for Pack 1910.

The safety of our Scouts and their families is paramount to any Scouting function be it a den meeting, a Pack meeting or even a campout. We have adults who have taken Hazardous Weather training and are prepared - at a moment's notice - to do what is necessary to keep everyone safe. That being said, we wanted to remind our families of the following:

• If KISD schools are canceled due to weather, Pack and Den functions are postponed until later notice.
• In the event of an evening or special event (Pack meeting, field trip, etc.) and there is an active severe weather WARNING, those items will be postponed until later notice.

To note -- there is a difference between a WATCH and a WARNING.  We are talking about WARNINGS only.  In the event anyone else is a weather nerd, see the National Weather Service's explanation here.

TORNADO WARNINGS means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Warnings are issued by your local forecast office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on Radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS mean that severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Take shelter in a substantial building. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds. Warnings are issued by your local forecast office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or county) that may be impacted by an on-going severe thunderstorm.  

This... was this morning.  This... was no fun.  

The December 26 tornadoes here in North Texas proved that severe weather in Texas can take an immediate turn for the worse. During these times, we feel the safest place for our Pack families to be is together at home in your shelter.

Please understand that we *never* want to cancel or postpone an event and will watch all weather reports to make the call at a time that is convenient for everyone to plan accordingly. We would rather make the right call late than the wrong call early. Canceling any plans is never something we will take lightly. 

However, we follow the idea of "safety first." Therefore, in the event of severe weather, please be checking your e-mail, the blog and with your den leader if you have any doubts as to the status of any event.

We want to be sure everyone is on the same page. Thank you all for your understanding.

Don't Forget to Save The Date for Day Camp!!!

We have a whole page dedicated to all things DAY CAMP!  Click HERE.

But the important information you need NOW is:

WHO: Cubs entering 1st grade in the fall - 5th graders
WHAT:  Attend the BEST District Day Camp in our Council!
WHERE:  Harvest Church on 377 in Watauga
WHEN:  June 6-10 from 8:30 am - 4 pm daily
WHY:  Because it's a BLAST
HOW MUCH:  $95.00 per scout

We are letting the boys sell camp cards to offset this fee.  From every camp card they sell, $2.50 goes toward their day camp fee!

So again, SAVE THE DATE!  

Volunteers Needed

As our Webelos II have transitioned to Boy Scouts, we are needing to fill very critical positions in our Cub Scout Pack.  The reasoning is simple -- we do not and should not let current leadership wear all the hats.  The more we work together for the good of the Pack, the easier it is to get everything done.  Therefore, if your son is active, we need YOU to be active too!

First and foremost...

TREASURER -- This person is ensures the pack’s finances are sound. Specifically, the treasurer will:

• Help the establish a sound financial program for the pack with a pack budget plan.
• Maintain the bank account 
• Approve all budget expenditures. 
• Collect payments and give receipts; make deposits
• Keep up-to-date financial records. 
• Report on the pack’s financial condition at the monthly committee meeting. 

This position NEEDS TO BE FILLED IMMEDIATELY.  

We know there is someone out there waiting to help fill a void -- and THIS IS YOUR TIME TO SHINE!   We need you!  

Another couple of volunteer roles that are imperative to fill (one needs to be filled by next month) and a little idea of what it entails: 

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR 

• Follows checklist for new members to see that the are plugged in accordingly to Scoutbook, receives handbook, etc.
• Helps facilitate the Spring and Fall sign-ups
• Minimal time commitment other than spring/fall sign up time-frames

DAYCAMP COORDINATOR

• Promote Mustang District Day Camp within our Pack
• Ensures our ratios of chaperones/campers is met
• Time commitment is only during promotion period and camp period.  Present for the April and May Pack meetings for promotion and then coordinate rest from home.

Eric James has stepped up to be our Community Service Chair to help our Unit have scheduled service opportunities for the boys to engage in meaningful servantship in our community.

PLEASE SEE OUR LEADER PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP FILL THE CRITICAL NEEDS OF OUR PACK.

Journey To Excellence

Each of the Pack’s leaders and Scouts have been given a GOLD 2015 Journey to Excellence patch. We are very proud to have earned this prestigious award and are especially grateful to the Pack’s team of den leaders and committee members whose hard work made its attainment possible.  

Journey to Excellence is basically a score card for us to be able to measure the quality of our program.  It takes everyone's commitment to make our unit a success, so THANK YOU!

If you have not yet received your patch, please check with your den leader or see Mr. Attel or Ms. Driggers at the next event.  We want to ensure each leader and Scout has one to wear proudly on their uniform!

Plan now for your family's summer!

Make this summer the best one yet by taking your family to the Philmont Training Center.

With great conferences, a legendary setting, and activities for spouses and children, it truly is the ultimate destination for Scouting families.

You, the Scouter, want to be the best possible leader for your Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers or Sea Scouts. After a week at the beautiful Philmont Training Center in New Mexico, you will be. You’ll learn alongside like-minded Scouters from across the country in conferences designed for anyone in Scouting: newbies all the way to the most-seasoned veterans.

Your spouse can come, too. S/he will enjoy a week of fun — museum visits, local history, American Indian arts programs, pottery-making demonstrations, guided nature walks and programs, tours, trips to nearby towns, fishing and more.

And your children? They’re in for a real treat with carefully designed, age- and ability-specific programs conducted under the leadership of trained staff. I speak from experience when I say your children won’t want to leave when the week’s over.

Though family members go their separate ways during the morning and afternoon, they reunite for meals and in the evenings for dinner and family activities. There will be plenty of stories for each to tell about all the fun they had.

Ready to learn more? Matt Rendahl, associate director of program at the Philmont Training Center, gives us the scoop:

Who teaches Philmont Training Center conferences?

No less than the best volunteers and professionals from across the country.

These are the people who “wrote the book” — in some cases literally — on Scouting. I’m talking top-level trainers and Scouters, many giving up vacation time to share their knowledge with you.

There’s even one course — Engaging Millennial Parents in Scouting — taught by Bryan Hayek, this article's author and Bryan On Scouting.  He's co-teaching that Aug. 7 to 13 course with his dad, the BSA’s former national training chairman (and father of two millennials).

Who can attend Philmont Training Center?

Any registered Scouter; there’s no other prerequisite. PTC is suited for brand-new Scouters and seasoned veterans. There really is something for everyone.

Who else will be in my session?

One of the best parts of a Philmont conference is the opportunity for shared learning among the participants.

That means you will network with and learn from Scouters from across the country. And in today’s Facebook-connected world, the connections made at PTC will extend beyond the week spent in New Mexico.

What will my family do?

Never want to leave, that’s what. The family program component is unparalleled in or out of Scouting. My first exposure to Philmont was attending a family program while my dad took a training course. My sister, mom and I were inspired to return to Philmont again and again.

Scouts and non-Scouts of any age can experience the magic of Philmont.

Parents can bring children, grandparents can bring grandchildren, wives can bring husbands and husbands can bring wives. From 2-month-olds to 90-year-olds, there is something for everyone. All for way less than that place with the mouse.

Learn more about the family programs here.

What’s the PTC like?

It offers world-class facilities, comfortable lodging with private hot showers, great food prepared by staff members, historic museums and southwestern history — all with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a backdrop.

The summer weather is perfect, with highs in the 70s and 80s and lows in the 40s.

To see what a typical week is like at PTC, go here.

When are these sessions held?

Every week, all summer long. Week 1 is June 5 to 11. Week 11, the final week of the summer season, is Aug. 14 to 20.

PTC offers one fall conference week: Sept. 18 to 24.

What sessions are offered?

Way more than I can list here. See the full 2016 conference schedule here.

How much does it cost?

Less than your typical family vacation.

2016 Philmont Training Center fees (include conference materials, meals, lodging, and activities):

• Conference Participant: $530
• Non-Conference Adult (20+): $375
• Mountain Trek (Ages 14-20): $415
• Children at PTC (Ages 14-20): $315
• Children (Ages 6-13): $200
• Children (Ages 0-5): $100
• NAYLE participant: $395 (Hurry! NAYLE is filling fast)
• STEM Youth Conference: $395

Registrations are accepted at any time throughout the year, and limited scholarship funds are available.

What if I still have questions?

Find more answers to FAQs here.

Still have a question? Contact the PTC’s helpful staff.

• Phone: 575-376-2281
• Email: trainingcenter@philmontscoutranch.org