A Scout is Kind

Kindness is closely related to being Courteous yet each of these points of the Scout Law has its own distinction.

It seems that Kindness is more aligned with the whole "Golden Rule" of do unto others as you would have them do unto you. My grandmother used to tell us, "If you can't be kind, then be quiet." She was right.

It's a really simple thing to do -- to be kind. To do something out of kindness and for no other reason... is a heart thing.

...is a character thing.

...is a Scout thing.

Kindness is universal. It costs nothing. It can mean everything.

You either treat others with kindness, or you go through life oblivious to anything greater than yourself.

The Scout handbook states that "A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. Without good reason, he does not harm or kill any living thing."

Can you imagine living in a world where people sought out with great intention the act of BEING KIND moreso than being right or first or the winner? Being kind is really... doing the right thing. Funny how those words can be interchangeable: Obeying the law is the right thing. Using your manners is the right thing. Treating others with respect is the right thing. Leaving things better than you found it is the right thing. Kindness is the right thing.

The Boy Scout Trail states:

Kindness should be first practiced by a Scout in his own home. It can be a difficult challenge to show kindness to those in your family. Whether it be irritating siblings or misunderstanding parents, making constant efforts to be kind to those people with whom you have a conflict is hard work. Each of us is bound to fail some times, especially when we are in such close quarters for such a large part of our time. At those times of failing to be kind, kindness can still make a comeback through sincere apologies and forgiveness. The point of 'Forgiveness' is not in the Scout Law, but it is a real demonstration of kindness.

It's much easier to be kind to friends, teammates, other scouts, and family acquaintances that are seen occasionally. There is less personal commitment and less intimacy so it is less work to overlook their shortcomings and differences in beliefs and behaviors. Still, a Scout needs to demonstrate kindness to these people in order to build friendships and strengthen his character. Typically, showing kindness to these people results in a response of similar kindness in return.

Think about all of the right things that are kind! Leaving no trace is the right thing but it's also being kind. It's being kind to those who come after you. It's being kind to nature... our environment... our parks... our green spaces... Obviously the tree you choose not to carve on isn't going to say thank you, but you can bet that your act of kindness toward nature will be something that everyone who comes after you will appreciate because it stays unmarred.

Choosing to be kind rather than to be right shows what's in your heart. Maintaining a gentle disposition when someone is really pushing your buttons doesn't show weakness, it shows kindness (and self-control, but that's a whole other can of worms). For in the end, the one thing you do have control over is your response and your level of kindness.

How about the idea of an RAK? A Random Act of Kindness. To complete an RAK is to look for ways to completely brighten someone else's day without recognition or expectation. It's to look for an opportunity to pay it forward... Do this AND let your children see you do it! Plant the seeds of kindness in their hearts! Buzzfeed published an article with 101 Easy Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness. Click the image below to be taken to that.

Kindness is an outer expression of the inner workings of your heart. It takes guts to be kind. Scouts can do hard things, you just have to give them the chance. Maya Angelou said it best. To be given kindness... is an amazing feeling!

A Scout is Courteous

The Scout Handbook reads "A Scout is courteous. A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along."

It has been quite fun seeing the development of standards in Scouting through history as I go research each point of the Scout Law. For instance, it's true that for a lot of us, when we think about Scouts (before being part of Scouts), you envision a little boy in uniform assisting a feeble, elderly woman across the street. Nostalgic, though still this image encapsulates the very essence of Scouting -- selfless service.

The Boy Scout Trail blog states that "Being courteous is being a gentleman. It is opening doors and holding them open for the next person... It is saying "Pardon me" when you bump into someone in a crowd. It is giving a firm handshake when you make the acquaintance of someone.

Courtesy often seems to be a thing of the past; something for old people or something out of old black and white movies. In our age of email, instant messaging, and online chats, courtesy becomes a more difficult behavior to learn and practice. And, make no mistake, it takes practice to become good at it. Courtesy requires personal interaction where the value of the other person can be demonstrated. After all, courtesy occurs out of respect for other people."

Technology has given too many people a way to completely zone out and thus, courtesy is severely lacking in today's society. There are many ways that courtesy can be exemplified in the world of today and we need to teach this to our children! First and foremost -- LOOK UP FROM YOUR PHONE! When you're in company, do not wear earbuds. When you're at the dinner table, there should be nothing in your hand other than a fork. Give the people with a pulse in your presence, the courtesy of being present.

I read somewhere that "courtesy is a heartfelt expression of respect and consideration" and everywhere I look, it seems that courtesy and respect go hand-in-hand. You truly can't have one without the other.

Having respect for others gives way for courtesy to be shown. This is made through eye contact, handshakes, smiles, conversation... manners. Stated differently, it could all be defined as social etiquette. Scouts should lead by example in every way that embodies the very essence of courtesy, respect and, thus, social etiquette.

Scouts should show genuine respect and courtesy to all people of all race, all religions, all economic statuses, all job descriptions, always... all the time.

That's a tall order isn't it!? Sounds almost impossible. However, you can lead by example! How? Read on... I love the explanation on the Boy Scout Trail:

Courtesy without an underlying respect and thoughtfulness is a lie. To be courteous requires us to first be caring; to be concerned with the people around us and on the lookout for their wellbeing. Many people, hoping to get ahead, will be very courteous and friendly to people above them in social standing, while at the same time treat lesser ranked people with disdain. We see this often in business where a salesman will be outgoing until he realizes there is no sale to be made and then turns his attention elsewhere. But, the same occurs daily in all social circles. A Scout needs to overcome this temptation and be sure he treats all people with equal respect and courtesy.

The next time you go to a restaurant with a group of friends, make an effort to listen to how many of them say a simple Please or Thank You to the waitress when she takes the order or brings food or water. My experience has been that I am often the only one, and I sincerely make an effort to do it. The first thing I do is read their nametag if they have one and then use their name from then on. I also look at their face and eyes while they are taking the other diners' orders just to get a feel for what they are like. I do this not in the hopes of better service, but so I remind myself that the person waiting on me is just as important as I am and deserving of my respect, courtesy, and appreciation.

One of the reasons we ask boys to "do a good turn daily" is that it helps them learn the art of selfless, joyful service. The act of intentionally DOING for not other reason than the care in your heart for another is living out the Scout Law. This whole movement was founded on courtesy if you think about it!

Courtesy should begin at home where it may be the most difficult to demonstrate. Remembering to be polite to parents, brothers, and sisters can be a true challenge for a Scout, but one which he needs to overcome to become a man of strong character.

Lord Baden Powell stated that courteousness is much the same sort of thing as chivalry, which is closely allied to honor. Both were practiced in the old days by the knights, who went about risking their lives in order to defend and help the weaker people, women and children, against bullies and marauders.

Why did they do this?

It did not bring them money, for it would be a disgrace to a knight to accept any reward for doing a good turn. It only brought them danger of wounds or death. It was an adventure. They were good sportsmen and manly fellows. Their conscience told them that it was right for the strong and plucky man to protect those who were weaker than himself. They were not obliged to do it by the law of the land, but there was a stronger law which appealed to them--and that was their own sense of honor which led them to be chivalrous men.

Honor was the spirit that moved them; chivalry was the putting into practice what their honor bade them do.

Seeking the opportunity to be chivalrous is to be Scoutlike. Seeking out the chance to make a difference, not for any reason than to exemplify the courteous nature of your heart. That, is what a Scout would do, because he is chivalrous.

A Scout is Friendly

A Scout is Friendly... What does it even mean to be "friendly"?

Friendly can be defined as a characteristic of or befitting a friend; showing friendship; like a friend; kind; helpful; favorably disposed; inclined to approve, help, or support; not hostile, amicable; able to coexist with something without harm or trouble.

I've been in restaurants that have said they are "family friendly" and I've met a dog that I would describe as being "friendly" but never really thought about why I gave it that label. Was it, perhaps, because it was happy to see me, wagged its tail, eagerly awaited my interaction? Would I be as liberal at handing out that label to a person, perhaps, that was a little shy and wouldn't so readily engage?

Whoa! That's a lot. But, think about it. Think about the image Scouting has on the world at large. A group of leaders and youth who are ready and willing to step in and help and who are a friend to all. Treating others as they'd wish to be treated. Joyful servant hearts.

Friendly.

The Boy Scout Handbook states:

“A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He offers his friendship to people of all races and nations, and respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.”

An interesting takeaway is that it certainly exemplifies that a Scout's friendliness shouldn't be limited to his family or even his inner circle but to everyone.

Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Ever heard "A friend in need is a friend indeed." To be a friend, you must be... friendly!

John 15:12-17 – My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

The Scout Law seems to be an enormous Venn diagram where every characteristic overlaps the next which completely begins to embody exactly what it is to be a Scout: loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, cheerful.... think about it.

A Scout is a friend to all.

A Scout is Helpful

The very definition of helpful is "giving or ready to give help." Additionally supported as stating that someone is obliging, eager to please, kind, accommodating, supportive, cooperative. The Boy Scouts of America asks all scouters to "do a good turn daily." So, what does that even mean?

Simply stated, it means that we should look for opportunities to make a difference by helping someone, not for any other reason than because it's the right thing to do. When people think of Scouts, they think of helpful stewards. 

A Scout is Loyal

A Scout is Loyal. Talk is cheap. You have to do more than just talk the talk, you have to walk the walk. The one thing that came to mind was the relationship between a man and a dog. Dogs are loyal to a fault.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to be loyal means to be unswerving in allegiance. Thing is… many of us spend so much time being loyal to other people, that we often forget the need to be loyal to ourselves. Add the daily, hectic routine we go through, and it’s easy to see why we forget to focus on doing the things that make us happy, or move us towards those things we deserve out of life. We forget to stop, even just for a moment, to stick to our plans. Learning to be loyal -- especially in leadership opportunities, means that your focus stays where it needs to be -- on you.

But also, on your friends, your faith, your family, your teams, your, favorites, your fans, etc. So, knowing you NEED to be loyal, just HOW do you make that happen?

Well, just be honest! Be honest with yourself. Be faithful and follow the rules. Follow the girl code (or bro code) about relationships. Learn to suck it up to take one for the team. Alternatively, learn to speak up. Especially if you hear things being said about a friend. Speak in their defense. And finally, they suggest sticking to your principals. Don't you dare betray your own beliefs just to avoid making waves with your group. Trust your gut. Rarely, if ever will this instinct be wrong. Shop local. Volunteer local. Build those foundations with your communities -- they can't develop overnight otherwise. Build a tribe around you. A tribe of like-minded loyal people. They are the ones who will circle the wagons when you need them. And you WILL need them!

A Scout is Trustworthy

The first point of the Scout Law is Trustworthy. Just how can you demonstrate this most important point of the Scout Law in your daily life? It's simple really...

• Tell the truth.
• Be sincere. Say what you mean and mean what you say. 
• Keep your word.
• Be reliable.
• Return things you borrow.
• Keep private information private.
• Don't gossip.
• Don't ask a friend to do something wrong to keep your friendship.

A Scout tells the truth. As the athletes of the world strive to do their personal best in international competition, Cub Scouts have the opportunity to “Let the Games Begin” by doing their best in feats of skill and sport. Remember that not only is it important to do your best when you play a sport, but it is also important to be trustworthy when following the rules of the game. Winning at all costs is not part of a Scout’s code of conduct.

David Wolfe has said that the four traits of a trustworthy person are:

They are their true selves. They're not leading their lives under false pretenses. They are who they are and that's who they are. The good, the bad and the ugly. They're not afraid of who they are and don't lead on they're more than they're cracked up to be.

They always keep their promises. Talk is cheap. Keeping the talk you utter is priceless.

They do the right thing. It's not always the popular or easy path to take -- doing the right or the easy thing... but knowing it'll be weighing on your consciousness outweighs the need to bend to be part of the sheeple.

They never make you feel inferior.

Check out what else he has to say about these traits here.

CUB-O Registration

Cub-O is the annual Cub Scout orienteering event held at Sid Richardson Scout Ranch. This year CUB-O will be held Saturday, January 6. We are also organizing a campout to coincide with this event for those needing or wanting to get some additional tent time into their program. Obviously, you have the option to camp Friday and/or Saturday nights or simply attend for the event during the day on Saturday 11a-4p.

Cub-O is the most popular orienteering event in North America. A fun day of hiking and friendly competition for Cub Scouts, parents, and leaders. Orienteering (the use of map and compass) to find locations and plan a journey, has been a vital skill for humans for thousands of years. Thousands of people participate in the sport each year in local clubs and competitions. Longhorn Council has two events annually for orienteering. One is for Cub Scouts (Cub O), and one is held for Boy Scouts (SCORE-O)

The cost to participate in the CUB-O event held Saturday is $19 per scout and includes a patch, lunch, liability insurance and a Cub-O map. T shirts are available to purchase for $12 each.

Additional attendees (attending, assisting or camping but not competing) can pay $6 for lunch and liability insurance only but must register and be paid.

Each team of 3-6 Cubs gets a Cub-O map half an hour before the race starts.
Your goal is to hike in the woods and find as many of the 40 orange and white orienteering flags as you can.

Two-deep leadership is *required* for each team. So, parents, if you HAVE NOT taken Youth Protection Training, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT!

This is a rain or shine event: extreme inclement weather (ice or snow) may cause a one week postponement. Weather announcements will be made on the Longhorn Council Website and on our blog as well.

Sound like something you want to do? 

Well, click HERE to print out a registration form and get it submitted to the Longhorn Council before the deadline of Wednesday, January 3. Two adults are required to register per team. Teams will be assigned based upon the number of cubs registered in our Pack. We will do our best to keep younger dens and older scouts together.

Be sure to let leadership know if you wish to camp so that we can plan accordingly.

New Years' Resolutions

While the last few days are counting down on the calendar before we all gather with family and friends to count down the minutes and seconds to another new year, we get to reflect on the past year and also look ahead to the new.

Do you make New Year's resolutions? Or, have you resolved to make no resolutions? Either way, I've got a challenge for you!  Interested?  Good!  Keep reading.

Did you know the top 10 New Year's resolutions are:

What if I told you that there was a way to incorporate almost all of these into your year just by taking on a simple challenge I issue to you and yours?  My challenge is for you to exemplify and encourage your family to live out the 12 points of the Scout Law in your lives EVERY DAY!

While the Boy Scouts of America gives us a single point of the Scout Law to have as our primary focus for each month, I'm going to list just one individual points of the Scout Law every day for the first 12 days of our new year with specific examples on how to incorporate and encourage your scout to live out his pledge. My hope is that you are continually inspired to encourage his journey. And, who knows, it just might help you bring your own resolutions to fruition as well!

Read the examples given and then recall them monthly as we reintroduce the specific point of the Scout Law that will be our focus and "theme" of the month.

So, while you may not be interested in making traditional resolutions, how about simply setting a goal for the benefit of you, your Scout, our program and mankind in general. How can you say no to that?!

Come January 1... we will begin! Happy New Year Pack 1910! Let's make 2018 our best year yet!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to our Pack 1910 family.

My hope is that amid the wrapping frenzy, the last minute errands and the "hurry" that can sometimes overshadow this blessed day...

... that Santa brought everyone something from your list

... that the food was amazing

... that your blessings were plentiful

... that the memories made are irreplaceable

... and that you were able to spend quality time with all those you love and cherish.

My hope is that the spirit of the season is rekindled within each of you to carry forward through to the new year. Merry Christmas to one and all!

Join us tomorrow at Wreaths Across America

On Saturday morning, December 16, 2017, at 9:15 am a wreath laying ceremony will commence at the Arlington National Cemetery to honor those veterans laid to rest there.  The Wreaths Across America story began over 25 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Maine initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. Worcester Wreath Company continues to be a major supporter of the project donating over 25,000 total wreaths each year. Although well over 100,000 wreaths will be sponsored by individuals, businesses and groups from communities nationwide. Wreaths will be placed in all 50 states, at several locations in Iraq, and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.

In 2016, when Texas State Cemetery in Austin, was added as a Wreaths Across America participant, Governor and Mrs. Abbott joined for the ceremony and wreath placements on veteran graves. His remarks to the volunteers gathered truly captured the patriotic mission of this program's mission:

“We're called on today and every day to remember our fallen heroes. ​We must remember their names, we must remember their lives and we must remember their sacrifice, because we are each entrusted with their legacy of faith in this great nation. May we always remember our troops in harm’s way still today, and may we never forget the price they pay so that we can be free.”

While we have Veterans Day in the fall and Memorial Day in the spring, our servicemen and women sacrifice their time and safety every single day of the year, to preserve our freedoms. And in many homes across the U.S., every day there is an empty seat for one who is serving, or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Pack 1910 has the amazing opportunity to be part of this movement recognizing our veterans this holiday season at the Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Irving while similar ceremonies occur at over 400 other participating locations nationwide – a solemn tribute to those who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Oak Grove Memorial Gardens began working with the Wreaths Across America project in 2010 with over 300 wreaths donated that first year and placed on the graves of veterans buried throughout the cemetery.

After the ceremony some 2000 plus wreaths, all donated from individuals and local businesses, will be placed on the graves of the designated veterans graves and throughout the cemetery. Oak Grove Memorial Gardens does allow the wreaths to be designated and placed on a certain individual veteran’s graves if a sponsor so wishes.

The remaining wreaths will then be placed on veteran’s graves in certain areas of the cemetery. All they ask is that a small prayer of thanksgiving and remembrance is said as each wreath is laid upon the headstones and reading the name of the veteran buried there. Honoring our commitment to never forget.

Pack 1910 was proud to be a part of this event the last several years and made a commitment to honor those who have served by continuing to participate each year. Duty to Country. A Scoutbook notification was e-mailed to the Pack. Please RSVP there so we know if we should expect you and your family.

We hope you consider participating in this community wide event of remembrance. What's 60 minutes out of the Christmas season, compared to our veterans’ years of service in locations far from home?

Christmas Party Pack Meeting TOMORROW!

Don't forgot TOMORROW is the December Pack meeting Christmas party!  We can't wait to see you!

Don't forget our POTLUCK!!

Don't forget:

• Your potluck provisions!
• Your Christ's Haven donations
• EVERYONE is to bring one package of BRAND NEW WHITE SOCKS per child that attends. (It's for a game, and then the socks will be matched and donated to community storehouse.)

Oh, and don't forget your seasonal hat!

If you're planning on attending CUB-O (whether it's to camp or just for the day), please bring your completed registration form to turn in.  Those can be found HERE.

If you have not turned in your new health forms for the 2018 year, NOW is the time to do that as well.  We only need sections A & B.

Lastly, if you haven't made your recharter payment, please bring your checkbook and/or credit card. This is the last time to make arrangements for payment before we have to remove names from our recharter list to submit to National. Thanks for your help!

The pack will have plates, paper goods and, of course, all the entertainment.

December Committee Parent Meeting is TOMORROW!

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 still have a leadership roles we need filled and just by coming to these meetings -- you could help the Pack tremendously!  You can RSVP on Scoutbook or just show up!  The link to the meeting agenda will be posted in the comments field below the event on the ScoutBook calendar. We ask that you please print your own (no wasted paper).

The December Committee meeting is at 7pm at the Scout House on Monday, December 4. Come join us!

Medieval Times

Pack 1910 members, family and friends have the awesome opportunity to attend a special engagement at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, Sunday, April 22, 2018.

Your Scout will also be given the opportunity to attend an animal workshop before the tournament. Please note that the workshop is optional and you are not obligated to attend in order to attend the tournament and dinner.

Sound like fun?  You may RSVP right HERE right now!  

Please note that there is a 25% deposit we must make at the time of the reservation so we are asking for a $10 per person deposit with the balance due April 1. The ONLY way we can guarantee that our Pack sits together is to make the reservations at the same time.  We want to make ONE reservation early January with any revisions / additions being made February 1.  Final head count is due by February 1 (and we will hope that they still have space to make additions at that time.)

Rules of engagement:  Scouts and leaders are expected to be in full field uniform. Children under 3 are free so long as they sit on a parent's lap and eat from their plate.