As a new Jr. Leader in the scout troop I really didn’t know what to expect at the training.I just knew I was expected to show up to the training in my complete scout uniform at 8:00 AM and to be down in our scout room.

The training started with us saying the pledge of allegiance, Scout Law and Scout Oath and a prayer. Then we were off and running. We played a game called the Leadership game. Here we had to match up the different Jr. Leader position (SPL, ASPL, PL, APL, Scribe, Quartermaster etc.) with the responsibilities of the positions. I found this very useful in learning what the different leadership positions are to be doing. Then we learned about what is Leadership, how to prepare my patrol for an overnight, what does respecting others really mean, how do you gain respect from your fellow scouts, how to prepare for a demonatration, teaching the EDGE method, how to plan a troop meeting, how to run a PLC Meeting, how do we promote scout spirit, patrol spirit and troop spirit, then we learned the step of planning a troop campfire, and then we played several team building games. These games were great fun and I look forward to playing them with the entire troop.

All in all it was a very long day but I believe it will help me to be a better Jr. leader for my scout troop. I hope the rest of the scouts who were there feel the same way.

Last but not least we were each challenged by Mr. Howell to recruit one new scout. Mr. Howell said we were the best recruiters the scout troop could have. The scouts in the troop.

What a day our scout troop had at the 2023 Blue Elk District Klondike Derby. Being a first time scout at this event I didn’t know what to expect.

We met at the church at 7:00 AM and loaded our sleds and we were off to the Klondike Derby. When we arrived Mr. Howell got off the bus and checked the two patrols in. We were given our assigned events and we were off. I am so glad we were in the front of the check-in line. At the check-in pont they had us turn our sleds upside down to see if anything would fall off. My patrol made it through the first event with no problems.

Then we were off and running and when I say running I mean running as we had 13 events to complete before 4:00 PM. The events were as follows:Archery, Tomahawk Throw, Spider Hole, B-B Guns, Fire Building, Cooking, Bear Bag, Knots, First Aid, Splint, Stretcher, Lashings, Survival Shelter and Compass Course. These events were very challenging for our patrol as we were not working as a team and we had forgotten a lot of our scouting skills. We now understand why Mr. Howell stresses to learn so well that you can teach another scout.

When we got back to the church we unload our sleds back to the scout room. Mr, Howell asked everyone to be be seated and he asked each of us what we thought we needed to improve on and most of the scouts said teamwork, working together and scouting skills. I would have to agree.

I am hoping that we do this event again in 2024, I also hope that next year that we can bring all four of the troops sleds. I also hope that we have an overnight in the spring to allow us to work on these events again and to compete against the patrols in our troop.

I want our troop to do a better job in 2024.

The question has come up –  What’s after Eagle Scout? As an Eagle Scout your work is never done. After earning the highest rank in scouting, it’s time to take an even bigger role as a leader in your scout troop. You can start helping with organizing troop outings, working with the adult leaders and helping your brother and sister Scouts who aim to follow you in your footsteps. You can simply enjoy scouting as you no longer have to be so focused on advancement. You can actually sit back and see the scouting program from another viewpoint. As a Scout who has earned the Eagle Rank by setting the best example possible for others to follow, be willing to help others, to just enjoy scouting and have fun.

It’s not time to quit scouting.  It’s very important that you stay in scouts. You have taken a lot out of the scouting program. As an Eagle Scout it’s now time to repay your scout troop and the scouting program. Not to walk away. Your scout troop needs you as an Eagle Scout.

As an Eagle Scout you are the cream of the crop.

That’s what’s after Eagle Scout.