A Quadruple Beading Ceremony

The Cornerstone District Camporee will be remembered for a long time for a lot of reasons: the Battle of Prairie Grove reenactment, the unusually warm weather and the huge gathering of many Scouts and Scouters from across the entire Council and even neighboring states.  Wood Badge folks will remember it for not just all of that but also for the beading of four individuals who had completed their tickets.  Susan Hennessee, Bill Hennessee, Malinda Pitts, and Tom Pitts were all honored at the closing campfire for their accomplishments.  Bill, who serves our country in the National Guard, received special permission to attend and drove all the way to the Camporee for this special recognition after which he returned to duty. That is the kind of dedication that Troop 1 has shown to Scouting!  

Congratulations to these four leaders!....and that reminds me, how is YOUR ticket coming?  There are only five months left to complete it!!  If you need help please contact your ticket counselor.
John Spain
Scoutmaster, S8-16-11-1

Photograph provided by Gary Yandell shown below:

From L to R: Bill Hennessee, Susan Hennessee, Malinda Pitts, and Tom Pitts

Tim Smith Receives Beads at Camporee

Tim Smith, who actually finished his ticket a few months ago received his beads at the Magazine District Camporee on October 13th at beautiful Lake Nimrod.  The weather was kind as the fierce storms that evening held off long enough for the campfire and beading to be completed before becoming a real weather event.  Here are a few pictures from the ceremony.  You might recognize the guy on the right...you remember him...the Boudreau's Candy Store sign!!
Congratulations Tim!!!

Tim receiving his woggle from Harold Pyle,

Wood Badge Beads Awarded to Chris Monk

In a ceremony at the Butterfield Trail Roundtable on September 13th, Chris Monk was awarded his Wood Badge beads, neckerchief and woggle.  Pettus Kincannon, Scoutmaster of course SR-1028, presided and filled in for John Spain who rumor has it was associating with banjo players in Kansas at the time.

Chris is the fourth member of the Eagle patrol to finish his ticket!!  If anybody is wondering there are FOUR Eagles, one Fox, one Bear, one Buffalo and two Antelopes finished so far.

Congratulations to Chris for reaching his goal!!!!

Pettus Kincannon explains the significance of the Wood Badge regalia

Chris receives certificate while his sons look on. 

Darrin Coon Awarded Beads At Troop 84 Meeting

Darrin Coon of the Eagle Patrol was awarded his beads at Troop 84's meeting on September 10th. Darrin serves as the Scoutmaster of Troop 84 which meets at United Methodist Church in Siloam Springs.  Darrin's wife and all five of his sons, including two who are Eagle Scouts and students at John Brown University, attended to present the beads, woggle, and certificate.  Gary Yandell who received his beads just last week provided the photos below.

Congratulations and thanks to Darrin on a great job completing the ticket and serving as Scoutmaster for this great troop of boys!

Gary Yandell Receives Beads!

Gary Yandell of the Fox patrol was awarded his beads at a ceremony at the Cornerstone District Roundtable on September 6th.  Mark Puente and Barry Cobbs assisted as well as the entire Yandell family who were also there to honor him.

I usually post a few photos here of the event but Gary, who is always the professional, video recorded it in its entirety and it is posted here!!!

Gary's Video--Sept 6, 2012

Congratulations Gary for completing the course and ticket!! 

Snaggle's Trip to the Olympics

I hope all of you enjoyed watching the Olympics and keeping up with our Irish friend, Snaggle, as he traveled the world visiting Scout groups on his way to the Olympics.  He brought fun and good will to all the nations he visited which included China, Australia, South Africa, Malta and of course Harrison, Arkansas in the USA.  Here are just a few of his pictures from the trip to London.  You can find many more on his FaceBook page, "Snaggles Olympic Tour".

Snaggle with one of the official Olympic torches.

Snaggle is ready to go!  YAY team!

A little card playing on the way.

Snaggle's friend enjoys some ice cream

More friends.

Castlerock Cubs with Snaggle at Buckingham Palace

At Gilwell!!!....bonus points if you recognize the guy in the back!

Riding the Eye for a great view of London

Always a ham for the camera...

Leaving early in the morning from Castlerock, Ireland.

Where is Snaggle Now?

Some of you might not know that Snaggle has made it HOME!!!  He has arrived in Castlerock, Ireland and was swiftly taken to Coleraine District Scout Council, District Camp. His box had LOTS of photos, diary entries, gifts and of course the pictures you all signed at Wood Badge!

During his journey he visited many different Scout groups in Hong Kong, Australia, South Africa, Malta and of course Harrison, Arkansas!  The journey is very well documented on his own FaceBook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Snaggles-Olympic-Tour/235413686515684).  He has arrived home in time for the Olympics and will make his grand entry there with the Cubs of Castlerock.  Castlerock is pretty excited about the Olympics as the torch was carried through town in a huge parade.

We look forward to seeing the Olympics through the eyes of Snaggle and his friends!  Thank you to our Irish Scouting friends who shared him with us!

Here are just a few pictures for you:

Snaggle in Malta

Article about Snaggle in the Irish equivalent of our Scouting Magazine (Recognize the pics?...from his visit to Arkansas!)

On a hike in Malta

South Africa

Castlerock waiting for the Olympic torch.

Cubs in Ulster

With a Scout in South Africa.

Malta

South Africa Scouts

Snaggle chows down in South Africa.

Malta

Barry Cobbs Beaded at Pack 77 Crossover

Barry Cobbs (Eagle Patrol)  received his beads on May 15 at the final Pack meeting and crossover of Pack 77 in Rogers.  Barry has served faithfully as the Cubmaster for seven years and it was his idea that the boys could present the beads, neckerchief and woggle.  They did an outstanding job of honoring their leader and to top it off, Barry's father was on hand to present the certificate and congratulate his son with a hug for his accomplishments. 

Congratulations Barry on your achievement.  We look forward to your continued service to Scouting!

Barry's son, Emerson, places the regalia around Barry's neck.

The boys of Pack 77 perform the ceremony for their Cubmaster.

Barry's Dad presents his certificate.

Additional pictures can be found here:  CLICK HERE

Mark Puente Awarded Beads at Camporee!

Mark Puente of the Antelope Patrol  has joined the list of folks who have completed their Wood Badge ticket.  Mark was awarded his beads, neckerchief and woggle at the closing campfire of the Cornerstone District's Camporee.  Assistant Scoutmaster of S8-16-11-1, Charles Parish, was the master of ceremonies. 

Congratulations Mark!!!

Mark Puente receiving his regalia.

The reason Mark became a Scout leader...his family who supports his "One Hour a Week"!

(Photos by fellow S8-16-11-1 Wood Badger, Gary Yandell)

Misty Rathbun Awarded Beads!

Misty Rathbun received her hard-earned beads, woggle and neckerchief at Pack 53's April 17th Pack meeting. Glenda Doss and Don Kinser assisted with the ceremony.

It was a lovely outdoor event on a gorgeous Spring evening overlooking the pond at Liberty Park in Greenwood.  Before the ceremony the boys planted a lot of trees around the pond that are sure to make the park more beautiful for many years to come.  This is just one example of how hard working these dedicated leaders are, how much they care about their community, and how much fun they bring to their Dens and Pack.  Please join me in extending congratulations to Misty for her great leadership!

Glenda Doss places Misty's Wood Badge regalia around her neck.

...and here is Misty with her Den...the real reason she decided to attend Wood Badge.

(More pictures of the event are located here:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100875929882172203792/albums/5732567357277002049)

Glenda Doss Awarded First Set of Beads!

It is a great pleasure to report that the first ticket of S8-16-11-1 has been completed and full Wood Badge regalia awarded.  Glenda Doss (Eagle Patrol)  received her beads, neckerchief and woggle at a special ceremony at Pack 53's Blue and Gold Banquet on Feb 25 in Jenny Lind. (between Fort Smith and Greenwood). 

...And here is a picture of why she decided to  attend Wood Badge in the first place...all of the smiling and lucky boys to have Glenda for their leader!! They will be moving up to second year Webelos and in only a year from now will be heading to Boy Scouts with their Wood Badge trained leader. 

Please join me in congratulating Glenda on a job well done....but only just beginning!
John Spain
Scoutmaster, S8-16-11-1

Snaggle goes Snowboarding!

Snaggle left Ireland not thinking that he might need a hat and coat for colder weather.  He has now been outfitted properly so he could try snowboarding in Arkansas!! 

Go Snaggle, go!! 

Snaggle Visits Camp Orr!

Snaggle, being an adventurous sort of guy, wanted to see where Wood Badge S8-16-11-1 was held the first weekend so his hostess Polly, took him for the trip.  He got to visit the Ponca Elk Education Center as well where he learned about the animals of the area and insisted on posing with all of them in the exhibits. 

Have fun Snaggle!!

Snaggle hangs on!...."Bearly!"

Snaggle climbs to get a better view

Twin Falls at Camp Orr (Sometimes called Triple Falls)

 

Trumpeter Swans

Camp Orr's vespers area

Oh No!...Watch out Snaggle!!