Owls hoot about first course weekend

The first course weekend is ending and the Owl Patrol has come together like a big, happy family. The lessons taught to us during this weekend have changed our understanding of what a Boy Scout leader should be and how he or she should act. We have become stronger leaders and have made friendships that will last a lifetime.

The Owls of S9-91-14

Staffer commends Bobwhite's Brackett for 'good turn'

The following was submitted by an anonymous staffer commending immediate helpfulness shown by the Bobwhite Patrol's Dave Brackett:

Dave Brackett, shown crossing over to Boy Scouts
during the first course weekend.

Dave Brackett from the Bobwhite Patrol exemplifies the Scout Law for helpfulness. Dave was quick to respond when coffee was spilled in the Ft. Bradshaw training center by offering his help and services during the clean up. He stands out in my mind as the leader to watch for many good things to come!

Bobwhites make most of first course weekend

The Bobwhite Patrol had a great first few days at Wood Badge. Our patrol has grown together and is seeking to have fun as we go through the program. The whistled call of the Bobwhite can be heard throughout Gilwell.

S9-91-14 Bobwhite Patrol

On Saturday of the first course weekend, the Bobwhites finished its patrol flag, planned our campfire skit for the second course weekend, and built a great rocket. In addition, we took our turn as the service patrol and worked to keep clean our living and eating spaces. On a disturbing note, despite our efforts to protect our service patrol shovel, the little rascal decided to walk off some time in the night. Happily though, it found it way home before we had to pass it to the Eagles on Sunday.

Owls don headgear for recent patrol meeting

On March 19, members of the Owl Patrol gathered for an "IOS" ("Important Owl Stuff") meeting in Phenix City. No other Wood Badge critters were harmed during the course of the meeting, however various critter recipes were discussed vis-à-vis the upcoming campout weekend.

Buffaloes recap first course weekend

The Mighty Buffaloes learned a lot during the days of the first course weekend. The best thing we learned was to work as a team and to have fun! We can't wait until April to see what this staff has planned for us.

As the patrol parts ways temporarily, let's remember to keep those key points: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, and kind. What we have learned here will make us better parents, workers, Scout leaders, and individuals.

S9-91-14 Buffalo Patrol

See you in April -- ready to have more fun! Follow the Herd!

Saugahatchee Beavers receive District Awards of Merit

As part of its annual district banquet on March 13, Saugahatchee District honored a pair of Wood Badge Beavers by awarding them the District Award of Merit.

Wood Badgers Michael Tullier (left) and Joel Moore (right) receive
the District Award of Merit from Saugahatchee District.

S9-91-14 Beaver Patrol member Joel Moore currently serves as the troop committee chair for Troop 371, chartered by Lakeview Baptist Church, and vice president for program on Chattahoochee Council’s Executive Board. An Eagle Scout, he began his adult volunteer service 20 years ago by helping to establish both Pack 371 and Troop 371. His progressive duties on the Saugahatchee District Committee, which began as membership chair, led to serving two terms as district chair. Through his leadership as chair, he strengthened and expanded a variety of existing district events as well as added additional ones; established the district’s Eagle Coach program; and expanded district communications. In 2013, under his leadership, Saugahatchee District was the only JTE gold-level district in the council. Over time, his volunteer service has included Webelos den leader, cubmaster, assistant scoutmaster and scoutmaster. In 2013, he attended the National Scout Jamboree as third assistant scoutmaster for the Chattahoochee Council contingent. He is also a recipient of the Good Shepherd religious emblem.

Staffer and SR-1078 Beaver Michael Tullier currently serves as the chartered organization representative for both Auburn United Methodist Church, which charters both Pack 29 and Troop 29, and the Auburn Rotary Club, which charters Troop 50. He is also currently the district’s public relations chair, previously served as district training chair, and frequently supports district-level fundraising through both Friends of Scouting and the Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner. An Eagle Scout, his 20 years of volunteer service has included unit- and district-level service in two councils in his native Louisiana in addition to the Chattahoochee Council. In his current role, he implemented the district’s monthly “District Digest” e-newsletter and has leveraged traditional, social and electronic media to keep volunteers, Scout families, and the community better informed of Scouting efforts in the district. Previously, he has served in unit-level capacities that include cubmaster, assistant scoutmaster, and troop chaplain. He is the recipient of the Order of the Arrow’s Vigil Honor membership and youth Founders’ Award, as well as Saugahatchee District’s Boy Scout Leader of the Year, and the God and Service Protestant religious emblem.

Foxes take patrol yell to whole new level

From 2014.03.08 Day 2

For generations, Wood Badge patrols have created patrol yells or cheers to go with their patrol flags as a way of identifying their patrols. The Fox Patrol of Wood Badge Course S9-91-14 have apparently taken the patrol yell to an entirely level by adding a patrol dance to their yell!

Destined to be a Bear

Perhaps as a foreshadowing of things to come, Bear Patrol member Mark Davis submits this photo from a few years ago when he donned a Winnie the Pooh costume. Winnie the Pooh might be on the opposite end of the bear spectrum from this year's "Hear us growl! Hear us roar! Mighty Bears forevermore!" Wood Badge Bear Patrol, but it just goes to prove that the process of assigning Wood Badge patrols might not be as arbitrary as some speculate!

And thanks, Mark, for being a good sport about submitting the picture!

Who says Scouting isn't a family affair?

What do you get when you pair up four sets of married couples and two father-son teams? Roughly one-fifth of the folks at Wood Badge Course S9-91-14's first course weekend who are related to someone else at camp! This year's course features two husband-wife duos among those participating in the course, and two husband-wife and two father-son duos among its staff. Here's a look at who they are and what their role is in the course:

We'd be remiss if we didn't start with the Lytles:
Course Director Tom and Assistant Scoutmaster for Program Debbi

Then there are the Abbeys:

Owls Troop Guide Chuck and Assistant Quartermaster Jennifer

Our father-son teams include the Bolens:

Son and Assistant Quartermaster Drew Bolen and dad, instructor, and Venture Adviser Gary

Our final staff duo and father-son team are the Whealtons:

The son, Assistant Scoutmaster for Logistics Bill, and the dad, Assistant Quartermaster Ted

Our first husband-wife participant duo are the Davises:

Bear Patrol Member Mark and Bobwhite Patrol Member Jolene

And finally, our other husband-wife team are the Eddys:

Eagle Patrol Member Mike and Fox Patrol Member Sonja

Mar. 29 Ticket Workshop details released

Staff from Wood Badge Course S9-91-14 will offer a Ticket Workshop for course participants on Saturday, Mar. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET at the West Point Technology Center at 1122 O.G. Skinner Road in West Point, Ga. Directions are now available from the Participant Tab of the course website.

In addition, a Microsoft Word template will fillable fields can be downloaded from the course website. Using this form not only makes it easier for course staff to review and approve your ticket, but makes it easier for participants to use the form to journal and document progress made toward completing their ticket items.

The ticket workshop, while optional, provides participants an opportunity to work one-on-one with course staff and other Wood Badge volunteers who can help with crafting Wood Badge tickets. This can be especially helpful to participants who wish to have their tickets approved by the start of the second course weekend.

If you have any questions about the Ticket Workshop, email the staff at s991woodbadge@gmail.com.

Weekend 1 Photos and Gazettes online

Want to relive the excitement of Course Weekend 1 of Wood Badge Course S9-91-14? Visit the course's online photo album at

https://picasaweb.google.com/s991woodbadge

Photos are organized by day, and we invite you to download and share the memories with past Wood Badgers and other Scouts and Scouters. These will be available online beyond the end of Course Weekend 2 for you to access and enjoy.

In addition, the print editions of the Gilwell Gazette are on the "Gilwell Gazette" tab of the course website:

http://s9-91woodbadge.org

We look forward to sharing your patrol news between course weekends, and the success our participants have following the course in completing their tickets and earning their beads! To submit a news item, email the scribes at:

s991woodbadge@gmail.com

Stay on top of all the new posts to the Gilwell e-Gazette blog by subscribing for updates delivered directly to your email inbox by entering your email address in the Follow by Email field in the right-hand column of the screen.

Yours in Scouting,
The Scribes of S9-91-14

Past course directors visit S9-91-14

During the opening lunch for Wood Badge Course S9-91-14, previous course directors representing 34 years of Chattahoochee Council Wood Badge were course guests. Those visiting past course directors were (left to right): front row, Gary Bolen, SR-828 (2007); John Findley, SR-321 (2000); Lisa Sandt, S9-91-12 (2012); Tom Lytle, S9-91-14 (2014); Don Schultz, SE-263 (1980); Bill Leffler, SR-668 (2005); and Bill Abrahamson, SE-592 (1992); back row: Gene Hilhouse, SE-543 (1990); Jan Spitzer, SR-225 (1998); and Mickey Edwards, SR-585 (2003).

Wood Badge in the Chattahoochee Council dates back to 1973, when Dick Graham served as course director for the council's first course, which was SE-1.

The calm amid the storm

Wood Badge S9-91-14 staffers assembled at Camp Lumpkin on the eve of the course's first weekend to prepare for the mass arrival of the course's 41 participants on Friday. Staffers spent the majority of the wet and rainy Thursday afternoon readying training facilities, reviewing daily schedules, and meeting in small groups to review plans specific to course functional areas.

First-time Wood Badge staffers pledged their commitment to the
success of the course as part of the pre-course Staff Beading Ceremony.

Staff concluded the evening with a Pre-Course Staff Beading Ceremony, where additional Wood Badge beads were awarded to the course director and first-time Wood Badge staffers. Those who attend Wood Badge and complete their tickets within 18 months of the conclusion of their course receive a pair of Wood Badge beads.

Krystal Tumlin, troop committee chair for Troop 356 and first-time
Wood Badge staffer, receives her third Wood Badge bead from
Course Director Tom Lytle.

When Scouters staff a Wood Badge or National Youth Leadership Training course, they receive an additional Wood Badge bead, bringing the total to three.

S9-91-14 Course Director Tom Lytle (center) receives his fourth
Wood Badge bead as course director from previous Chattahoochee Council
 Wood Badge course directors Lisa Sandt and Gary Bolen.

When a Scouter serves as a Wood Badge or NYLT course director, he or she receives a fourth Wood Badge bead.

For more photos from the staff beading ceremony, visit our online photo album.