Issue 4. January, 2017 The Pirates Scroll The Official Newsletter of the 2017 Blackhawk Area Council Jamboree Contingent REMINDER PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE February 11, 2017 MANDITORY Parent s Meeting, Orientation and Team Training Day Maud E Johnson Elementary School 3805 Rural St, Rockford, IL 61107 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, please eat before arriving, or feel free to bring something with you if you desire Scouts in Full Field Uniform [Field Uniform, BSA pants, BSA socks & BSA belt] Things to Look For in this Issue: Meet the Asst. Scoutmasters Electronics Policy Still Time to Bring a Friend! Parent Meeting Time Change Financial Commitment The Blackhawk Area Council is finalizing preparations for the 2017 Jamboree trip. At this point in time we need to have an accurate count of Jamboree participants for the purposes of reservations, bus seating allocation, and equipment purchases. In order to remain on the Jamboree roster, each Scout will need to have at least $500 paid toward their $1,695 jamboree fee no later than 1/31/17.
Assistant Scoutmaster Tyler Pratt Tyler Pratt grew up in Kansas and has always enjoyed the outdoors and camping. As a youth he was very active in Scouting and then as an adult, his two sons joined Cub Scouts which brought him back into the Boy Scouts of America. His youngest son, Nolan, continued all the way to achieving the rank of Eagle in 2013. As a result of his son s involvement, Tyler took on numerous leadership roles for their Pack and Troop in Rockford, Illinois and became Troop Chair in 2010, a position he holds currently. Since that time the troop has continued to flourish and continue its rich scouting history dating back to 1959. Chartered to Our Savior s Lutheran Church, over 80 scouts have achieved the rank of Eagle at Troop 14, thirteen which achieved this rank in 2013 alone. Two of his most enjoyable memories in recent years were spending a week in upper Wisconsin on Long Lake and a week at Sea Base in the Florida Keys with his son and the troop. He is a counselor for 12 merit badges and for the last five years has taught American Business and Entrepreneurship merit badge classes at the huge January scout gathering at Sauk Valley Community College in Sterling, Illinois. Tyler completed Woodbadge in 2014 and his tickets in 2015 and is now participating with Okpik with plans to complete this program in February 2017. He became active with the Blackhawk Area Council s Jamboree planning committee last year and was honored to be selected as one the Assistant Scoutmasters for the BAC contingent. He looks forward to many additional years serving the council, district and the troop that has given him much in return.
Assistant Scoutmaster Derek Coleman In the summer of 2016, Derek was an adult leader for a high adventure trek to Swamp Base in Lafayette, LA. The crew completed a 61.6 mile paddle trek through the Achafalayan Swamp. Derek also enjoys teaching sharing his skills with scouts by serving as a merit badge counselor for several badges. Derek Coleman has been involved with BSA for the past 10 years, and is currently a Troop Committee Member with Troop 181 in Cherry Valley, IL, and a recently elected Board Member of the Blackhawk Area Council. He has served on the staff of Blackhawk Area Council's Okpik Cold Weather Camping, completed Wood Badge training, and most recently completed training as a BSA Certified Angler Instructor. Derek's wife, Bridgett, is also active in T181 and serves as a Patrol Coach, in addition to organizing several troop activities. Derek's son, Blake, will be attending his first Jamboree this summer. Blake is a Life scout currently working on his Eagle project. His daughter Danielle is currently in college and was a Girl Scout for many years. Danielle is trained Life Guard and occasionally serves in that role during Troop 181 swim activities. Scouting is truly a family affair for the Coleman's!
Assistant Scoutmaster Kevin Carlson Kevin Carlson has been involved with Boy Scouts for 8 years. He has been a den leader, Cub Master, ASM, and now Scoutmaster. Kevin has two of his own kids in scouts, one being a Life Scout and the other a Tenderfoot. He looks for to providing a safe, fun and life changing experience for your son that will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Lookin' fer extra a ruckas at th' Jamboree? Brin' ye buckos! Be tellin' ye buckos -- 'tis not too late to register. That s right it s not too late to register to attend the Jamboree! Do you have a friend that you would like to invite? Maybe you think your entire Troop should go. We are willing to come to your Troop or Crew meeting or Court of Honor to answer questions about the Jamboree. We can also meet one-on-one with interested Scouts. Let us know and we can work together to bring the adventure of the Jamboree to everyone!
Assistant Scoutmaster Nichole Wiest Nichole Wiest has been involved with the BSA for the past 15 years, and is currently the District Commissioner and member of the training committee for Arrowhead District. She has also been the Program Director for the Lancaster Cub Scout Day Camp for the past 10 years. She received Wood Badge training in 2004, and in 2012 was a Wood Badge Course Director. Nichole is a current Merit Badge Counselor, most often teaching Gardening, Music and Communications. She is usually found driving the carpool and Pokémon hunting with the Scouts. When not Scouting, she is currently employed as a Digital Court Reporter. Nichole's husband is a self-employed farmer. She is the mother of 5 boys, so Scouting comes naturally to her. Her sons are a busy lot -- Trae is a Marine Corporeal currently stationed in San Diego, CA; Jay is a welder in Lancaster, WI; Trent is an almost-eagle Scout (the project is finally done!) and will be joining the Jamboree Troop. Her two babies are Logan, a brand new Lion Cub, and Mason, who is practicing his salute and thinks "Do Your Best" relates to toy clean-up. Nichole is excited to bring her caring, outgoing personality to the Jamboree Troop and to share this adventure with the Scouts.
Blackhawk Area Council 2017 Jamboree Contingent Electronics Policy It is the goal of Scouting that its members learn to incorporate the Scout Oath and the Scout Law into their daily lives. Scouting teaches scouts to abide by the oath and law through group and outdoor activities, especially troop and patrol meetings, camping, and similar activities. Modern electronics can be useful in assisting our scouts in maximizing their scouting experiences, and the Blackhawk Area Council s (BAC) 2017 Jamboree contingent does not wish to restrict scouts in their use of Electronic Devices if such use is directed toward the advancement or success of the Scouting Activity in which the scout is engaged. As part of the BAC 2017 Jamboree contingent s continuing effort to bring a rich and meaningful Scouting program to its members, the following Electronics Policy has been adopted. During Scouting Activities, Electronic Devices may be used as part of the Scouting program, but may not be used as entertainment or for purposes that detract from the Scouting program or are contrary to BSA policy. If a Scout's use of an Electronic Device violates this Electronics Policy, the appropriate sanctions will be applied. Electronics Devices defined: Any portable electronic device capable of being used for telecommunications, electronic game playing, digital photography, internet access, social media access, or other devices that may be developed for similar type functions, as determined by the Jamboree Committee or Adult Leaders. Scouting Activities defined: Activities offered and sponsored by BAC 2017 Jamboree contingent or any council or district of the BSA. For example, but not as a limitation to the general statement above, the following activities constitute Scouting Activities: a) troop meetings, b) patrol meetings, c) weekend campouts, d) day outings, e) Jamboree. Adult Leaders include: BAC 2017 Jamboree contingent Registered Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Venturing Advisor and Committee Members. Sanctions for Violation of the Electronics Policy When in the opinion of an Adult Leader a scout is in violation of the electronics policy, the following actions may be taken: 1) A scout may be warned and instructed to put his device away or the device may be immediately confiscated. 2) This sanctions policy is not progressive. The Adult Leader may immediately resort to the confiscation remedy. If an Electronic Device is confiscated, it will only be returned to the parent or Scout at the end of the activity or outing. If repeated violations occur by the same scout, he may be prohibited from using Electronic Devices during any scouting activities or may be asked to leave the program.
3) The Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, or other scouts in a leadership position, should notify an Adult Leader if violations of this policy are occurring, and allow them to take appropriate action. The Adult Leaders will attempt to enforce this policy on a fair and equitable basis. If the scout or his parent(s)/ guardian(s) have a problem with the way this policy is applied, please notify the Scoutmaster, Venturing Advisor or Committee Chairperson or present your objection at a Committee Meeting.. The following guidance is provided as to what would generally be permitted, and what would generally constitute a violation of the BAC 2017 Jamboree contingent Electronic Policy. These examples are not exhaustive, and under particular circumstances may not be applicable. Indeed, because new apps or new devices are developed at astounding rates and we could never hope to anticipate all possible uses to which scouts might use their Electronic Devices, the Electronics Policy is the sole rule that will be applied when determining whether a scout's use of Electronics is acceptable, or not. Examples of Permissible Uses of Electronic Devices 1. Safety and Security- Alerting adults or others to a dangerous situation or injured persons. 2. To aid in the success of a scouting activity or program: a) Use as a navigational device while participating in a GPS activity or hiking. b) Identifying trees or animals in the wild. c) Use of a device as a flashlight. d) Recalling first aid practices if in doubt of proper technique or protocol. e) Taking pictures of scouting activities. f) To demonstrate completion of an advancement or merit badge requirement (e.g., Taking a picture of a fish a scout caught to show his counselor that he caught a fish for the fishing merit badge.) 3. Looking up advancement or merit badge requirements. 4. Posting information of scouting activities on social media sites, but only after the event is completed, responsibly after lights out, or responsibly during down/ personal time, as determined by the Adult Leaders. 5. Informing parents that a meeting is over and the scout is ready for a ride, but not using the device to text or otherwise communicate with others during a meeting or during game time. 6. As a watch or stop watch. 7. On the ride to or from an outing, assuming the privilege has not been suspended due to a violation of this policy during the outing or activity. Examples of Non-Permissible Uses of Electronic Devices 1. Texting or other telecommunications between scouts or third parties during an activity, other than reasonable communication such as contacting a parent to arrange a ride home. 2. Use of Electronics in any manner that distracts a scout from participating in an organized activity of the Troop or the scout's patrol.
3. Use of Electronics in any manner that distracts other scouts while a program is being presented or engaged in by other scouts, leaders, or instructors during scouting activities. 4. Use of an Electronic device as a form of entertainment during a Scouting activity, especially if a scout stays in a tent to the exclusion of participating in the Troop, Patrol, or scouting experience. Violations of Examples 5 and 6 below (the Non-Permissible Uses ) are subject to BSA Youth Protection protocols and must be reported to the scout executive and the person in charge of the activity, and in certain instances the police may be notified. 5. Use of Electronics in violation of BSA policy a) No picture taking in shower or bathroom facilities. b) No violations of any other person's privacy. 6. No bullying or cyberbullying. BAC 2017 Jamboree contingent and its Adult Leaders are not responsible for loss or damage to an electronic device brought by a scout to a Scouting Activity. We encourage adults to conform to this policy during scouting activities. Adult leaders are expected to lead by example and conform to this electronics policy. Acknowledgment Scout Name: Scout Signature: Witness: Parent Name: Parent Signature: PLEASE NOTE This is just a review copy of the Electronics Policy. The original document that will need to be signed will be handed out and reviewed at the February meeting.