SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

Collecting Pin and Loop
www.USScouts.org

The requirements listed are from the  Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program Guide (34299B) 2006 Printing.

Belt Loop

Complete these three requirements:

• Begin a collection of at least 10 items that all have something in common. Label the items and title your collection.
• Display your collection at a pack or den meeting.
• Visit a show or museum that displays different collections

Academics Pin

Earn the Collecting belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

• Give a talk about your collection to someone other than your family. Give a description of your collection, including a short history. Explain how you got started and why you decided to collect what you do.
• Show how you preserve and display your collection. Explain any special precautions you must take including handling, cleaning, and storage. Note precautions for dampness, sunlight, or other weather conditions.
• Read a book about what you collect.
• Start a new collection of at least 20 items. Label the items, and title your collection.
• Define numismatics and philately.
• Join a club of collectors who share your hobby. This club may be a group of your friends.
• Find out if there is a career that involves what you collect. Find out what kind of subjects you need to study to prepare for such a career.
• If you collect coins or stamps, make a list of different countries in your collection. Explain how to identify each country's issues. Make a list of "clues" that help you identify the origin.
• With an adult partner, visit an online auction and look for items you collect. What does it tell you about rarity and value of the things you collect?
• Use a computer to catalog, organize, and keep track of your collection.
• Help a friend get started on a collection of his or her own.

Conservation Good Turn Award
More Information

This is also a good award to work on this month.  CD

Several leaders wrote me saying they had trouble locating and obtaining the Conservation Good Turn Award featured in the February issue of Baloo.  I, too, had trouble finding information and the proper order number for the patch on National’s Web Sites.  So I wrote an e-mail to two of my good friends, Diane in SHAC and Sakiko in SCCC and POOF(OOOoopps – Abracadabra was last month) I had the answers. One common theme of the letters I received was that local councils were not familiar with the award.

One hang up to finding the information is that although the award is available at all levels (Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing), the information is posted on the Boy Scout pages.  The new location (remember last month I told you National had completely redone its web pages at www.scouting.org ) is -
 http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/resources/conservation%20good%20turn.aspx

The Conservation Good Turn Award patch is item No. 00149.  Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts wear it as a temporary patch on the right pocket.  It almost shows up at www.scoutstuff.org  (The item and description are there but it says later where the picture should be.)

Boys’ Life Reading Contest for 2008

(This is the 2007 patch NOT 2008)

SAY ‘YES’ TO READING

The 2008 Boys’ Life reading contest will be announced in the May 2008 issue of the magazine. Once again, there will be great prizes for the winners and free patches to all who enter. The 2007 winners will also be announced in May.

Checkout the boys’ Life website to read the winning essays from 2006

For more details go to www.boyslife.org

Knot of the Month
William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award

Introduction

In a heavy London fog in 1909, American businessman William D. Boyce became lost.  He was approached by a youth who took Mr. Boyce to his destination.  When offered a tip by Mr. Boyce, this unknown Scout refused to accept it, saying that he could not accept money for a Good Turn.  This Good Turn gave birth to the Scouting movement in America.  William D. Boyce was one of those organizing individuals who could see thousands of American youth exhibiting similar values. 

As Scouting in America approaches its Centennial Celebration, and to support efforts to have available in every community in America, the BSA proudly introduces the William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award.  This award will be presented to volunteers who exemplify William D. Boyce’s organizing spirit.

Description

The William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award is presented to recognize volunteers who organize one or more traditional Scouting units. The award may be worn on the adult uniform. The award is a square knot placed over the three colors representing the three phases of our program—Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing. A volunteer can earn the knot by organizing one traditional unit, and a program device can be earned and added to the knot for up to three additional units organized.

The award is administered by the Relationships Division and will be presented by the local council.

Requirements:

• With the approval of the district committee chair, the volunteer serves as the organizer and completes the successful organization of one new traditional unit (Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity team or Venturing crew).
• The volunteer organizes the unit by following all procedures as published in the “New Unit Organization Process” (No. 34196), particularly ensuring that new unit leadership is trained, a program for the new unit is organized and in operation, the new unit committee is functioning, a unit commissioner is assigned, all paperwork for the new unit is completed and processed, and the unit charter is presented to the chartered organization.
• The Boy Scouts of America realizes that quite often several individuals help to organize a new unit. However, for this award, only one volunteer can be recognized as the organizer for a new unit.
• To further recognize the volunteer’s effort for organizing additional new units, a program device can be earned and worn on the new-unit organizer knot. The program device represents the type of unit organized (a Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity team, or Venturing crew.) The knot and up to three program devices may be worn in recognition for organizing up to four new traditional units. Multiple program devices for organizing units in the same program may be earned and worn.
• The new-unit organization award recognizes volunteers for organizing traditional units after March 1, 2005.

Recognition Items

• New-Unit Organizer Award Certificate (04-502)
• New-Unit Organizer Award Uniform Insignia Square Knot (14269)
• Program devices to recognize additional new units organized
• Cub Scouting (00926)
• Boy Scouting (00927)
• Varsity Scouting (00928)
• Venturing (00940)
• “Organizer” lapel pin for civilian wear (00097)

More Information:

You can download a 36 page Adobe.pdf file full of information including a scorecard for completing the award and submitting for approval from:

www.scouting.org/media/~/media/legacy/assets/relationships/04-515.pdf.ashx