Saturday BALOO/OWL training cancelled

[David Elmore]

To all Scout Leaders,

There will be no BALOO/OWL Training Saturday due to a lack of participation and those that have paid their money will be refunded?  This has been part of a disturbing trend over that last several training's over the last several years.

We all should agree that every Scout deserves a trained leader.  We all also understand that everyone has busy lives.  However, trained adult leaders are vital to the proper delivery of the Scouting program.  Program is the reason the boys are attracted to Scouts.  

Without trained leaders many things can not happen.  Packs cannot do family camping without, at least, one adult leader trained in BALOO and Webelos cannot go camping without a leader with OWL training.  It is not fair, nor is it much fun, if one person (your Cubmaster or Scoutmaster, etc.) is saddled with that responsibility all by themselves.  As much as we need tour permits, health forms and permission slips we are required to have trained leaders.  Much the same (proper training that is) applies to the Troops, Crews, Teams and Posts.

Your equally busy, volunteer District Committee and Commissioners, plan training events annually and offer to plan, staff and train adult leaders.  We ask, in turn, that you find some time in your busy schedules to get trained for your boys sake. 

Online options are available.  They do not, unfortunately, cover everything that face-to-face training does by dint of personal experience, fellowship and camaraderie.  Likewise they do not cover training that must be held, in the flesh, and in nature; i.e. camping.  Of course, what is fun about these outdoor training's is that you get to experience the fun and excitement that the boys do, sans the boys.  It gives you a personal idea of what it takes to put on a successful camp out and other Scouting adventures.

If you are like the committee and commissioners, we personally look forward to getting outdoors.  We do a lot of meetings and much planning, so we like to get out there and have fun just like the boys and you.  Scouting depends on us.

This is why we encourage each of you to make that extra-special effort to get trained.  You won't regret it, especially when a boy comes up to you and says he has had the most fun ever and wants to come back and do it again.  How can you resist that?

Over the last couple of years several studies have come out of major U.S. universities that provide proof that Scouting (and the outdoor activities it provides) does make a difference in the over all performance of youth in learning and health.  They also confirm that the Scouting program and Scouts make better citizens and leaders in our businesses, communities, states and country.  Indeed, one of these studies (about Eagle Scouts) was just released a week or so ago from Baylor University in Texas.  

This has not been achieved without trained adult leaders guiding Scouts to that end.  America and Arkansas are the better for it, no doubt.

Please forgive the vulgarity but Scouting sucks without the outings and the boys will tell you about it with their feet going out the door.  Again, Scouting depends on us to get trained.

Thank you for your time and assistance.  

Sincerely,

David Elmore

District Vice Chairman

Nischa Sipo District