This September and October, I signed up to take part in two weekends of intensive Scouter experience in Wood Badge S9-99-18. The experience wasn’t what I had expected – it was a good job done to keep a lot of things secret. However, I came to adore the others in my Beaver patrol, and even a few outside (though I still keep the swiping Foxes at bay when I see them at council and district events). I was honored that my patrol chose me to be the permanent Patrol Leader.

I was not prepared for the amount of singing and cheering that would be required. Despite having been cheerleading captain in college, being spirited hasn’t been my forte. Luckily, I had incredible support in the form of one of my patrol members who could spirit for the entire camp. Our staff also provided us each with individual songbooks (required at uniform inspections) to help us when our memories fell a little short.

The experience was one I will never forget, though since I was still relatively new compared to so many of the other leaders, I wondered if I was really getting everything out of it that others were. What I found is that different people have different experiences, even though we are all doing the same exercises. I was blessed with a great patrol that gelled well together, shared responsibilities, and made the experience incredibly memorable.

In case you’re wondering, here’s my ticket list:

1. Take Cubmaster training online then offer learning to other den leaders in my Pack. // This was my first ticket completed, and actually worked out as I ended up being voted as the incoming Cubmaster at our last leader meeting, so it’s good I had a head start on the knowledge.

2. Obtain new certification in youth and adult CPR and then offer a first aid overview to the Cubs in my Pack. // This has been challenging as I keep signing up for classes that get canceled. I hope to have this completed before summer camp.

3. Take Roundtable Commissioner training and propose new roundtable operation for our district’s currently defunct roundtable and complete application to become Roundtable Commissioner to share and receive feedback on programming for Cubs. // This was my second ticket completed. I am still awaiting approval back from the district on my roundtable plans.

4. Create a whittling chip in a day program that can be offered each year for Cubs needing to earn the award (Bears, Webelos, Arrow of Light). // I anticipate completing this ticket in January.

5. Present an Autism in Scouting presentation at a Pack leadership meeting. (This is my diversity/inclusion ticket.) // I just completed this ticket earlier this week. The Autism in Scouting training is self-study and packed with lots of information. I condensed it down to a few handouts, a brief speaking (no powerpoints), and discussion of implemeting Scout profiles and medical addendums.