Adventure LogoPack 189 Studio City

Knowledge

Woggles

Woggles hold your neckerchief together, so they are also called "neckerchief slides." You may use any woggle you like, it doesn't need to be BSA-issued. I have some that I made from parachute cord using a Turks-head knot, some that I printed on my 3d-printer, and some that I traded for with other Scouters. The BSA-issued ones are fine.
Pack 189 wears their neckerchiefs underneath their collars.

Safeguarding Youth

All parents should take the free online Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) course that is available at My.scouting.org. It talks about how to spot abuse from adults and peers - including bullying and online abuse - and explains how to react and prevent it. It also explains the barriers to abuse that the Scouting program uses to keep kids safe, so you can understand and help out the registered leaders as they follow these techniques. And, it is a mandatory precursor to becomming a registered leader in Scouting America. Thinking back to raising my kids, this is still in the top five pieces of advice that I received and used.
Navigate to the site, sign in, and click on the dreary grey box with the Safeguarding Youth Training logos. To stay current, it must be renewed every year with a 20-minute refresher course.

Annual Medical Forms

Download fillable PDFs of these forms from https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/ahmr/

Forms A & B

These are the most important forms. They are required by ALL participants in basic Scouting activities such as local tours and weekend camping trips less than 72 hours in duration. They do not need to be signed by a doctor. They need to be reprinted (or re-signed) every 12 months.

  • download and complete the forms
    • immunization detail and irrelevant medical history is not necessary
    • allergies and accomodations are extremely important
  • save them so you can get to them easily next year
  • print two copies
    • fold one copy in quarters with your name on the outside, and put it into a ziploc sandwich bag in your uniform.
    • bring the other copy to your den meeting for the den leader to keep on file for meetings.
  • update them if anything changes

It is against Scouting America policy to transmit the completed forms. The unit can not store the forms electronically. The forms should be handled as personally identifyable information, and should be shredded at the time of disposal.

Form C

Form C is required for events 72 hours or more, such as Wood Badge, Jamboree, summer camp, High adventure camps, etc. A pre-participation physical and signature from the examining physician is required. This is easy to get at your annual wellness visit, but you can sometimes get it from your doctor if you had a wellness visit in the last 12 months, or you can go to an urgent care for a quick checkup and signoff.

Scout Oath and Scout Law

The Scout Oath is a personal promise to do one's duty, while the Scout Law is a list of 12 character traits that show a Scout how to live that promise out every day. You can learn more about these core values on the official Scouting America website.

The Scout Oath

The Oath is a 3-part promise focused on duty to God/country, duty to others, and duty to self:

  • On my honor I will do my best: A pledge to try your hardest in everything you do.
  • To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law: A commitment to follow your religious and moral beliefs, respect your nation, and live by the rules of Scouting.
  • To help other people at all times: A promise to be of service to others whenever you can.
  • To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight: A pledge to stay healthy, keep your mind sharp and aware, and maintain honest, clean behavior.

The Scout Law

The Law contains 12 core words that define a Scout's character.

  • Trustworthy: Tell the truth and keep your promises.
  • Loyal: Stand by your family, friends, leaders, and country.
  • Helpful: Care for others and volunteer without expecting a reward.
  • Friendly: Be a friend to all and respect everyone.
  • Courteous: Be polite to everyone you meet.
  • Kind: Treat living things with gentleness and respect.
  • Obedient: Follow rules, laws, and authority.
  • Cheerful: Keep a positive, optimistic attitude.
  • Thrifty: Save resources and be careful with money and materials.
  • Brave: Face difficult situations or danger with courage.
  • Clean: Maintain good personal hygiene and a clear mind.
  • Reverent: Respect the religious beliefs of others and be faithful to your own.