FOCUS
Cub Scout Roundtable Leaders’ Guide
Pets can be wonderful companions. This month boys will learn about pets and how to care for them. They will see what it takes to be good pet owners and, also, learn about the responsibilities involved. Since 1915, every May the American Humane Association celebrates “Be kind to Animals Week.” to help teach people to be compassionate toward animals.
CORE VALUES
Cub Scout Roundtable Leaders’ Guide
Some of the purposes of Cub Scouting developed through this month’s theme are:
- Character Development, Boys will learn that caring for a pet requires patience and an attitude of selfless giving.
- Spiritual Growth, caring for pets will help boys better appreciate the value of all life.
- Respectful Relationships, Boys will learn about the interdependence in all our relationships and our duty to speak for those who don’t have a voice.
The core value highlighted this month is:
ü Responsibility, Boys will learn first hand the tasks involved in caring for a pet.
Can you think of others??? Hint – look in your Cub Scout Program Helps. It lists different ones!! All the items on both lists are applicable!! You could probably list all twelve if you thought about it!!
Update on status of
www.USScouts.org
Donations are still needed -
To be able to continue we will need more donations to help us through this tight spot. Donations are accepted via PayPal™ by using the following email address:
donate2usscouts.org@verizon.net
The U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc., started in 1994, is a non-profit organization that makes available to the Internet community additional information, resources and reference material concerning the Scouting programs carried out through the Boy Scouts of America. It is not funded nor supported by the Boy Scouts of America. All members of the Project serve as volunteers to plan, create, develop, post, maintain and enhance a family of websites and web resources as well as to promote the responsible usage of the Internet and its capabilities. This is in addition to their daily work, family and community, and Scouting obligations. The Service Project is always looking for additional hands to "share the fun of another one night a week" of Scouting and additional ways that we can leverage the potentials of the Internet and in particular the World Wide Web against the needs of the volunteer, professional, families and their youth involved in the programs of the Boy Scouts of America.
COMMISSIONER’S CORNER
This has been an up and down month – Wood Badge (always two words) staff development began. And I got in trouble right away. We had great a Waterways Roundtable with an excited presenter on our local tall ship – The Kalmar Nyckel (www.kalmarnyckel.org). After talking with to the Cub leaders she went over to the Boy Scout and Venturing RTs and got them excited, too. Bill Smith of Bill Smith’s Unofficial Roundtable ( www.wtsmith.com/rt ) and host of the temporary home for Baloo while the USScouts.org’s server was down, offered to write the monthly Training Tip for Baloo. Wow! In case you are wondering what makes him a great Scouter, part of it has to be he started in New Jersey!!!
My nephew in Lovettsville, VA, crosses over to Webelos in April after earning his Arrow of Light and helping in a flag ceremony with a military color guard. I hope to be there.
From a Snapple lid I saw this month – What is the only country with a National Dog? Great Dane for Denmark – NO, French Poodle for France – NO, German Shepherd for Germany – NO, Irish Setter for Ireland – NO, English Bulldog for England – NO, Aikido for Japan – NO, Labrador Retriever or Newfoundland for Canada – NO, Australian Cattle Dog for Australia – NO. Well which one? The National Dog of Holland is the Keeshond. It was chosen because they were used as watchdogs riding the canal barges!!
Some big news for Pinewood Derby – In March there was an article in the Wall Street Journal on Pinewood Derbies. It was still available on line at www.wsj.com when last I looked. Search for “Driving under the influence - of Dad.”
And Hollywood is about to release a movie, “Down and Derby” about Pinewood Derbies. Check it out at http://www.downandderby.com/home.php . Limited release is April 15. If it does well enough, full release will be Father’s Day. Don Murphy who created the first Pinewood Derby in 1953 has a cameo in the movie!!
Months with similar themes to
Pet Pals
Voyageur Area Council
February 2001........ Man’s Best Friend
I did check my Excel list of past themes and yes, Pets, has only been done once before. CD
THOUGHTFUL ITEMS FOR SCOUTERS
May Theme Prayer
Cub Scout Roundtable Leaders’ Guide
Chief Seattle said, “What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts are gone, man would die from great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts soon happens to man. All things are connected. AMEN
Santa Clara County Council
Quotations contain the wisdom of the ages, and are a great source of inspiration for Cubmaster’s minutes, material for an advancement ceremony or an insightful addition to a Pack Meeting program cover.
“An animal has been made by God, just as you have been. He is therefore a fellow-creature.” – Lord Robert Baden-Powell
“A boy can learn a lot from a dog: obedience, loyalty, and the importance of turning around three times before lying down.” – Robert Benchley (1889 - 1945)
“If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer.” – Alfred North Whitehead (1861 - 1947)
“I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals”. Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)
“It's funny how dogs and cats know the inside of folks better than other folks do, isn't it?” – Eleanor H. Porter (1868 - 1920), Pollyanna, 1912
“If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater, suggest that he wear a tail.” – Fran Lebowitz (1950 - )
“We call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they have no words.” - Anna Sewell (1820 - 1878), Black Beauty, 1877
“Outside of a dog, a book is probably man’s best friend; inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” – Groucho Marx
Life Lessons Learned from a Dog:
Santa Clara County Council
ü If you stare at someone long enough, eventually you'll get what you want.
ü Don't go out without ID.
ü Be aware of when to hold your tongue,
and when to use it.
ü Leave room in your schedule for a good nap.
ü Always give people a friendly greeting.
ü When you do something wrong, always take responsibility (as soon as you're dragged shamefully out from under the bed).
ü If it's not wet and sloppy, it's not a real kiss.
SCCC suggests this as a Cubmaster’s Closing Minute CD
Dogs as Teachers
Santa Clara County Council
If a dog were your teacher you'd learn stuff like:
ü When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
ü Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
ü Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
ü When it's in your best interest--practice obedience.
ü Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
ü Take naps and stretch before rising.
ü Run, romp, and play daily.
ü Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
ü On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
ü On hot days, drink lots of water and flop under a shady tree.
ü When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
ü Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
ü Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
ü Be loyal.
ü Never pretend to be something you're not.
ü If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
ü When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
I Wish My Daddy Was a Dog
by Elrod Leany
One day when my son was just a lad starting out in school
He came into my workshop and climbed upon a stool
I saw him as he entered but I hadn’t time to play.
So I merely nodded to him and said “Don’t get in the way”.
He sat a while just thinking--as quiet as could be.
Then carefully he got down and came and stood by me.
He said “Old Shep, he never works and he has lots of fun.
He runs around the meadows and barks up at the sun.”
“He chases after rabbits and always scares the cats.
He likes to chew on old shoes, and mother doesn’t like that.
But when we’re tired of running we sit down on a log,
I sometimes get to thinking I wish my Daddy was a dog.
Cause then when I came home from school he’d run and lick my hand.
And we would jump and holler and tumble in the sand.
And then I’d be as happy, as happy as could be.
Cause we would play the whole day through just my Dad and me.
“Now I know you work real hard to buy us food and clothes.
And you need to get the girls those fancy ribbons and bows.
But sometimes when I’m lonesome I think it would be lots of fun
If My Daddy Was a Dog and all his work was done.”
Now when he’d finished speaking he looked so lonely there,
I reached my hand out to him and ruffled up his hair.
And as I turned my head aside to brush away a tear,
I thought how nice it was to have my son so near.
I know the Lord didn’t mean for man to toil his whole life through,
“Come on my son, I’m sure I have some time for you.”
You should have seen the joy and sunlight in his eye.
As we went outside to play -- Just my son and I.
Now, as the years have flown and youth has slipped away,
I’ve tried always to remember to allow some time to play.
When I pause to reminisce and think of joys and strife,
I carefully turn the pages of this wondrous book of life
I find the richest entry recorded in this daily log
Is the day that small boy whispered, “I wish my Daddy was a dog”.
ONE LAST THING
A.S.A.P
Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.
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There's work to do, deadlines to meet;
You've got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER
In the midst of family chaos,
"Quality time" is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER
God knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease our cares,
And He'll respond to all your needs
A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
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God bless and have a nice day!
