Author: stepol

“Fitting News”

The Gilwell Gazette

WOOD BADGE COURSE S7-602-12-1, HEART OF VIRGINIA COUNCIL

Day 6 Edition
Sunrise: 6:11AM EDT
Sunset: 8:06 AM EDT
Length of Day: 13h 59m

VOL. SVII-DCII-XII-I No. 6

MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Priceless

HEARTH
By Mark Larson

As an architect, words that describe buildings have special meaning to me. One of my favorites is “hearth”.
Hearth is a metaphor for home but most commonly described as the masonry which supports and contains a fire. It could also be the bottom part of a metal foundry or the cleared area around a campfire.
Hearths were first created for their utility – a place to cook and get warm. Their use evolved into a place of fellowship.
The word serves as a metaphor for our responsibilities in Scouting:
As leaders, we are that solid base that supports and guides the Scouting spirit. We allow the Scouting “fire” to grow but provide limits to keep things safe.
The masonry used in a hearth is specially tempered to resist great heat. The training you will get at Wood Badge will temper you to for the trials of being a leader.
A foundry’s hearth is a place where the molten metal is collected and shaped. Through Scouting, we help shape young people so they can make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes.
In the home, a hearth is only one small part of any house. Your Scouting involvement should support the families in the program. However, never let your involvement become so large that it consumes your own family life.
During the two weekends of Wood Badge, you have seen many types of fires. Be warmed by the heat, be fascinated by the glowing embers, and enjoy the fellowship around the hearth.

John Hankins explains the service project.

On Leaving A Legacy /By Craig Britt

Being a big aviation buff, I often wish I could meet and chat with some of the great flyers and inventors that, in just over a century, took us from an earth-bound existence to fairly routine space travel. People like the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindberg, Chuck Yeager, Burt Rutan and Neil Armstrong certainly are some with whom I’d like to spend an afternoon. These folks certainly sit atop the list of those that have left a legacy in the world of flight. But what about the countless unnamed others that helped conceptualize, engineer, design, build, and test some of the machines that these pilots flew. Did they leave a legacy as well…. You bet they did!
The same is true for Scouting. Certainly, Robert Baden Powell leaves the widest and most far-reaching legacy in Scouting for all he did to create and promote it through his life. Many others have left their own fingerprints on Scouting as well. The unidentified scout that helped William Boyce on that foggy night in London certainly left his mark on the world and particularly on every scout in the United States. The fact is, each of us, as leaders, will leave a legacy either with a few youths with which we work, with our units, our Districts, or maybe even with the greater Scouting movement. So what will that legacy be? That is up for you and history to decide. Whatever it is though, you can bet that those that left their mark on you will most likely help to shape it.
I see life somewhat like a relay race in a track and field event and the legacy we leave as the baton we carry. We receive the baton from those before us, carry it proudly at our own pace and in our own manner, and then pass it on to those that follow. So, as you approach those that will receive your baton, what is the legacy that it represents? I trust it will be something meaningful and positive. Perhaps it will be that you are a great leader/teacher and a great role model for our youth. They certainly need these to balance to the “heroes” that popular culture and the media immortalizes.
Think about filling in the blank that follows:
I want to leave a legacy of ________.
I can think of many words that someone could use here. Purpose, Love, Excellence, Integrity and Empowerment are but a few. I can also look at the Scout Oath and Scout Law as a beacon of possibilities as well. Helpfulness, Honor, Friendship, Trustworthiness, and Duty are certainly meaningful legacies. Whatever your legacy becomes, it will reflect you and your values as a human.
In the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, Clarence the angel tells George Bailey “Each man touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
Do your very best to leave a giant hole!

OPINION A2
Are you a collector?

TODAY’S PHOTOS A3
Patrol Presentations in
Gilwell Hall.

PATROL REPORTS A4
Patrols Put in the Last Word.

THE GILWELL GAZETTE EDITORIALS/COMMENTS MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

A2

The Gilwell Gazette
Mark Larson, S7-602-12-1 Course Director

Founded in 1976
BILL HUDSON, (1976)
KENNY DAVIS, (1978)
JIM COCHRAN, SE-422 (1986)
TED MAJEWSKI, SE-499 (1989)
GEORGE CRUTCHFIELD, SE-547 (1990)
JIM COCHRAN, SE-594 (1992)
BETTY COCHRAN, SR058 (1994)
MIKE OXFORD, SR172 (1996)
JOE PEACE, SR267 (1998)
BOB RASMUSSEN, SR373 (2000)
JOHN TURNER, SR501 (2002)
STUART DUNN, SR604 (2003)
RANDY HARRIS, SR677 (2005)
GARY BRYANT, SR769 (2006)
KARREN STREAGLE, SR809 (2007)
CHUCK SMITH, SR917 (2008)
CRAIG BRITT, SR966 (2009)
AL BEST, S7-602-11-1 (2011)

The Scribe Staff
DAVID ANDERSON, Scribe & Logistics Geek
DAVE PRESTIA, Associate Scribe & Entrepreneur
CHARLIE FLEET, Techno Scribe
The Business Management
BILL EGGLESTON, Asst. Scoutmaster for Program
THOMAS CLAYTON, Asst. Scoutmaster for Support
REY HALLION, Asst. Scoutmaster for Troop Guides
CHARLOTTE PEMBERTON, Senior Patrol Leader
LES THORPE, ASPL & Chaplain’s Aide
JASON SMITH, Professional Staff Advisor
CRAIG BRITT, Course Mentor

The Quartermaster Staff
DAVE ESTES, Friendly Quartermaster
JOHN BLACKMORE, Quartermaster Staff
TINA GOODWYN, Quartermaster Staff
ROBBIE PATTERSON, Quartermaster Staff
ED BEACH, Quartermaster Staff/Food
The Troop Guides
MARK BERNAS, Bear Patrol
SHAWN COFFEY, Owl Patrol
LOWREY HOLTHAUS, Bobwhite Patrol
STEVE HUTCHINSON, Antelope Patrol
CHRIS LEECH, Beaver Patrol
JOHN MAGRUDER, Fox Patrol
STEVE SMITH, Eagle Patrol
WENDY STARKE, Buffalo Patrol

Collections/by Mark Larson

What is it about certain things that interest us enough to hang onto them? Marjorie Akin, an anthropologist from the University of California gives possible reasons:
a connection to the past and memories
to satisfy a sense of personal aesthetics
to please personal tastes
to show individualism
to be complete
As a youth, I collected many things. My stamp collection was a shared experience with my mother and I was curious about the people and events celebrated on the stamps. The art and color of commemorative stamps was beautiful, but most of all I wondered what great things did these people do to warrant being on a stamp? Almost always, I would look them up in our 1965 edition of World Book Encyclopedia to understand their legacy.
In Scouting circles, some people collect ashes from important campfires. This reminds them of those events and people of that moment in time. Some will mix the ashes from old campfires with the new as a way to connect the past with today. It’s another form of legacy.
As for me, rocks from special places I’ve been serve a similar purpose. I still have a rock from the top of Pikes Peak on a 1963 trip with my grandparents. I have a rock from Philmont, a piece of flint from the 2007 World Jamboree site and a stone from the Sweden jamboree last year.
In Capitol District, we hand out “Capitol Rocks” to first-time visitors at Roundtable and ask them to take it with them on events - to “collect” a few experiences to share with others the following month. This is our way of passing forward a Scouting tradition and collecting new leaders to join our circle of fellowship.
As we complete the second weekend of Wood Badge, I encourage you to think about your own collections. What has meaning and lasting value to you? Are you ready to share it with others? What (or who) will be your legacy?

Take A
Wood Badge Walk With Me

God, take a Wood Badge walk with me,
And see what I've discovered;
An inner strength I hadn't known,
New skills that I've uncovered.
My body may feel tired now
But my spirit soars on wings
As I reflect on all we've done
And heard, and felt, and seen.
Thank you for new friendships made
And old bonds now renewed,
And help me live the Oath and Law
In all I say and do.
As I depart from Gilwell Field
With ticket firm in hand,
Lord, help me do the best I can
To help my fellow man.
For my journey does not end today,
In fact, it's just the start,
So take a Wood Badge walk with me
And hold me in Your heart.
by Diane Miller
NE-IV-124
September 20, 2000

Day 6 Schedule
Program Patrol: Fox - Service Patrol: Beaver

“The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” –William James

American psychologist and philosopher

7:00am		Breakfast & Patrol Self Assessments
9:00am		Gilwell Field Assembly
9:30am		Patrol Time/Clean & Load Vehicles
9:30am		PLC Meeting
11:15am		Course Assessments
111:45am		Closing Luncheon
1:30pm		Summary Session
1:45pm		Break
2:o0pm		Leaving a Legacy

3:15pm		Final Slide Show
3:30pm		Break
3:40pm		Closing Gilwell Field Assembly
4:15pm		Participants Depart

Today’s Photos

A3

MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

The Gilwell Gazette

Beaver

Bobwhite

Fox

Eagle

Implements of Destruction

Antelope

Owl

Buffalo

Bears

Patrol Reports

A4

MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

The Gilwell Gazette

BEAVER PATROL
The Beavers had a great morning after the flood. Of course we had nothing to do with it. Sorry Foxes.
The Beavers were up all night repairing the dam last night so we were slightly tardy at Gilwell field this morning. The upside was the other critters missed us so much they sang a song in our honor as we arrived.
Glad to see our grub master perked up after a crappy morning. Our troop project presentation seemed to be well received by the crowd even though they may never see pop-tarts in the same way again.
The second sigh of relief you may have heard was the entire Beaver patrol submitting all tickets prior to the 16:30 deadline, none of which would have been possible with the initial coaching and then mentoring, and more mentoring at 16:29 from Chris Leech, Troop Guide.

OWL PATROL
The Owl Patrol has been learning the value of teamwork throughout our final weekend at Wood Badge. Many times we have performed tasks outside our roles and as your Owl’s guest scribe is finding out, sometimes its large shoes to fill. You may have noticed on Gilwell Field the Owl’s report, “One missing, all others accounted for”. One Owl received the call this past Friday that his employer could not be without him this weekend. His concern was who would take over his duties at Wood Badge if he could not attend. His frantic call to his fellow Owl’s was met with reassurance that all would be taken care of. We have shown that even down one owl, we still rise to the challenge.
From our successes in the Round Robin games to performing our skirt and Project presentation, we have come together to enjoy our time here. Ways we good naturedly tease one another, genuine smiles we exchange and the selfless service to each other has taken us past being just a team, we are a family.
As change is always constant, flexibility is the key. We look forward to more challenges to serve each other in the future. PROUD not LOUD

BOBWHITE PATROL
The day came forth early for the Bobwhite patrol...which is nothing new when you're up with the chickens! However, after a long night of working on Wood Badge Tickets, the little sleep we got was deep and well received knowing that all Bobwhite tickets were ready to be submitted on Day 5. The flock was up and getting the coffee on by 5:30am, with burners going for the freshly made crepes (with Chef Alex at the griddle), fresh cut fruit, and yogurt, all with whipped cream on top. Our guests, Craig Britt, Tina Goodwyn, and Mark Bernas, were welcomed on time and hungry and sent on their way nourished and energized, ready to face a demanding schedule. The Bobwhites were honored to get to raise the flags before turning over the Program Patrol beads to the Eagles. The nest was in a tizzy today. The Bobwhites clearly forgot the slogan of the Interfaith Service--Without Love And Friendship; Life Has No Meaning! Where did all the love go between the Bobwhites? It was more like Bob-A-Fights! That mean Bobwhite Heather bullied Bobwhite Lamont. That new patrol leader, Frank, just let it happen! And Frank broke John's flashlight! Worst of all, Shawn was driving the Bobwhite Mobile and he flew up and out of the nesting seat. He almost took out the entire nest! But the old patrol leader, Alex, winged right in to the rescue. Bullying really landed into the Bobwhite's nest today. Luckily, this was all in good fun while covering the serious topic of Bullying during Patrol Presentations before lunch. We next returned to the familiarity of nature and joined the Beaver Patrol during trail clean up for our conservation project, starting at the dam and working to clear the overgrown road until we met up with the other patrols who started from the other end. We didn't let that 100 foot vine dampen our attitudes! The flock reconvened in the outdoor chapel for lunch in an idyllic setting and shared our perch with some of the Bears. Talk about diversity in action! The Bobwhites are now egg-cited and a-twitter about this evening's free-range time block.

BEAR PATROL
The bears began the morning hosting the Troop Scoutmaster for a breakfast of pancakes, with caramel, sausage, and freshly foraged strawberries. What else do bears like? The morning brought very creative presentations from the first four patrols and the bears totally agree that we eat way too much sugar although honey is so good. The conservation project in the late morning challenged the best of us with clearing trees and undergrowth. Now we know who is immune to poison ivy and who is not. We also know that one vine can be stronger than five scouters. The lunch of ham sandwiches we found in the trash can hit the spot after the strenuous but quick clearing project. We look forward to the afternoon of more enlightening presentations including the one on Barriers to Cooking by the Bears!

EAGLE PATROL
Eagles flew into Wood Badge for day 5. Our Feathers are not ruffled. Thank you staff for those tents and cots, they kept us dry and comfortable through a rainy night (the spiders, daddy long legs and other small bugs also appreciated that). For Breakfast we were visited by our Fearless Feathered Eagle Guide Smitty (Steven Smith) and Tom Clayton. Hot Starbucks coffee hit the spot, along with sausage, beacon, eggs, fruit and toasted raisin bread. The weather report by the new Venture Crew was fun, thank you Crew. We look forward to a rainy dry warm cold earthquack filled and tornados active day. Deforesting the path for the new adventure areas was fun. No injuries, lots of hard labor, found a boxer turtle, ferns and little flowers to enjoy Gods creation. Box lunch was a well-balanced meal, (missing napkins) but include dessert, which were calorie, fat and sugar free. After lunch free time was used by some for a quick (cold and exhilarating) shower or a power knap and change our clothing (actually we seem to have done more of this last one that a Broadway musical). Our Tickets were handed to our able guide and fellow Eagle Smitty.

BUFFALO PATROL
Visions of Buffalos: Buffalos have many visions while deciding their tickets. Leadership for day four was Dave and David. At Assembly on day five, Barry picked up the Patrol Leader position and Cathy as Assistant Patrol Leader. Barry’s vision is to prepare and grow my troop into a ‘high adventure”/outdoor unit. Cathy’s vision is to be a resource person for the Rivers District to help troops provide a better program for the youths and provide information to all scout leaders. David’s vision for boys in Scout Reach Troops to choose and make the right and positive decisions based on the principles of the scout oath and law. Wayne’s vision is to see my Troop become greater through encouraging and supporting age and rank cooperation within the patrols and other activities. John’s vision is to see the older boys in my troop stay active in scouting. Dave’s vision is to have better trained leaders in our councils and districts. Bill’s vision is to make a life long difference in each scout. B uffalos made branded shirts to wear during the conservation project on day five.

FOX PATROL
The start of day 5 at Wood Badge was nice to have a great breakfast done by our Grubmaster for the day. Some patrols were working so hard on their tickets that they forgot to be on time at Gillwell Field. The Fox Patrol was there on time and ready. Presentations were done by and we received lots of information to take back to our packs, troops, or committees. The conservation project was different in that we had little time to change clothes but had fun clearing an area for new activities at T. Brady Saunders. Very surprised on how much we got done in such a short time. All of the Fox Patrol hast heir tickets completed; but, it was noticed that a lot of patrol members were still working hard at the end of the day. It’s been a very busy day and every one will be tired and most will be sounding like the Bear Patrol tonight. Good luck to all on completing your tickets and obtaining your Wood Badge Beads.

ANTELOPE PATROL
Wash out! The herd got a bit damp, but all is well. We had some stray, proud Antelopes visit around dinner time. There were plentiful fajitas and margheritas to calm our nerves while we received our 40% chance of a scattered storm. Lake Lope formed in the middle of our campsite, but there no alligators to worry about. Day 5 started with plenty of breakfast burritos and fruit. We received a besmirched shovel from the Buffalo patrol, but have taken care of that! The Antelopes led Troop 1 through John Hankins’ torturous road building project to wonderful results. While our patrol does a great job of working as a team, it was nice to see that the entire Troop has a similar ethic! We Antelopes successfully found the Holy Woggle, but apparently our offspring had a hard time finding their way home from prom or scoring soccer goals. I am not sure that is the reason that cell phones were invented, but they seem to be important now! Most importantly, tickets have been tweaked and are done! Now, the fun begins in earnest…