Boy Scout Troop

Visit a Boy Scout troop meeting with your den members, leaders, and parent or guardian. After the meeting, do the following:

Describe the four steps of Boy Scout advancement.

1.  LEARN                You learn and practice skills which leads to advancement.
2.  TEST                    For a leader, demonstrate a skill that you think is mastered.
3.  REVIEW              A board of review double checks that you have done all requirements.
4. RECOGNITION   You are given a rank patch and recognized at a court of honor.

P.S. I have been to a court of honor :-)

Describe how the Scouts in the troop provide its leadership.

They provide leadership by all taking different responsibilities.

Describe ranks in Boy Scouting and how they are earned.

the 7  ranks in boy scouting are SCOUT, TENDERFOOT, SECOND CLASS, FIRST CLASS, STAR, LIFE, and EAGLE.  they are earned by completing certain requirements.

Describe what merit badges are and how they are earned.

Merit badges are badges of merit earned by learning and mastering a skill.

Describe the patrol method.

The patrol method is working together in a small group to accomplish tasks likemake plans to participate in scout activities.

The shape is symbolic of a compass.

The three points are like the three fingers in the scout sign.

The eagle is the national emblem of the USA.

The two stars are symbolic of a scouts outdoor life and truth and knowledge of scouting.
The scroll, printed with the scout motto, is turned up like a smile.

The knot is symbolic of the scout slogan.

SIGN SALUTE AND (HAND)SHAKE

Scout Spirit

Explain what Scout spirit is. Describe for your den leader, parent, or guardian some ways you have shown Scout spirit by practicing the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan.

Scout spirit is a certain good attitude that all scouts should have towards scouting an other scouts. I have demonstrated scout spirit by:

1.  Coming to scout meetings whenever possible 
2.  During scout meetings I follow the scout oath and law by helping others and  Respecting other scouts and leaders at all scout meetings
3. I am always prepared by being in full uniform, bringing my scout book  and pocketknife, and  having scout spirit
4. I also help the other scouts and my family

Maestro!

INTO THE WILD

#1 Learn about the bird flyways closest to your home. Find out which birds use these flyways.

The Atlantic Flyway is closest to my home. It runs along the atlantic coast of the USA. Migratory waterfowl, Canvasbacks, Redheads and Lesser Scaups are some of the birds that use it.

#2 Identify an insect, reptile, bird, or other wild animal that is found only in your area of the country. Tell why it survives in your area.

Key deer live only in the Florida Keys. It is endangered. Also, it can swim easily between islands. The average lifespan is 8 years. It is the smallest North American deer. they eat over 150 types of plants, but mangroves and thatch palm berries are the most important part of their diets.

#3 Give examples of at least two of the following:(a) A producer, a consumer, and a decomposer in the food chain of an ecosystem(b) One way humans have changed the balance of nature

PRODUCER = APPLE TREE (APPLE)

CONSUMER = HUMAN(EATS APPLE)

DECOMPOSER = WORM(EATS CORE, POOPS IT OUT, AND TURNS IT TO SOIL)
BALANCE OF NATURE = HUMANS HUNTING DODO BIRDS TO EXTINCTION


#4  Learn about aquatic ecosystems and wetlands in your area. Talk with your Webelos den leader or family about the important role aquatic ecosystems and wetlands play in supporting life cycles of wildlife and humans, and list three ways you can help.

The closest wetland area to my home is classified as palustrine, forested, evergreen, and seasonally flooded. Wetlands play the role of providing water and sun for many different species of animals.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

1. PICK UP LITTER NEAR WETLANDS 
2. DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS
3. RECYCLE ALL PAPER PRODUCTS POSSIBLE

#5 Watch at least four wild creatures (reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, fish, insects, or mammals) in the wild. Describe the kind of place (forest, field, marsh, yard, or park) where you saw them. Tell what they were doing.

I saw a hawk in a tree looking for prey around a pond (left). I saw a colony of ants in a field near a pond that were working together (top middle). I also found and caught two lizards that were running from me in a park (top right). Finally, I found a cormorant drying its wings after a swim in a pond (bottom right).

P.S. This was mostly at the same pond. Hahaha

#6 Visit a museum of natural history, a nature center, or a zoo with your family, Webelos den, or pack. Tell what you saw.

I saw dinosaur fossil replicas, a seismograph machine, a model of the erosion process, a native American excavation site for kids, and a plastic puzzle model of a cell.

Art Explosion!

My Thoughts on the Scout Slogan

Do = "act"
A Good Turn = "an act of kindness or service"
Daily = "every day...but why stop there when you can do more!"

My Thoughts on the Scout Motto

Be Prepared = "get ready for life and all situations"

My Thoughts on the Scout Law

Trustworthy = "people can trust you....honest"
Loyal = "standing by your beliefs...keeping your word"
Helpful = "doing a task or chore without being asked"
Friendly = "being a friend to others and being loyal to people who are already your friends"
Courteous = "having manners"
Kind = "treat others the way you want to be treated"
Obedient = "do what your parents and teachers say"
Cheerful = "happy"
Thrifty = "not wasting money and using it wisely, taking care of what you have"
Brave = "doing the right thing even when it's hard"
Clean = "not dirty mentally and physically"
Reverent = "respect everything...the church, your house, nature"

My Thoughts on The Scout Oath

On my honor = "I promise"
My best = "work hard"
Duty to God = "saying that God is true whenever, wherever...be kind"
Duty to country = "help keep up liberty and justice for all"
Obey the Scout Law = "follow the values in the Scout Law"
Help other people = "be kind in helpful ways"
At all times = "whenever you can"
Keep myself physically strong = "exercise and eat healthy"
Mentally awake = "stay focused"
Morally straight = "be loyal and obedient"

Barometers and Thermometers

Barometers

• Measures atmospheric pressure.
• High air pressure pushes mercury in a reservoir up a tube allowing the barometric pressure to be read
• It was invented in1643 by Evangelista Torricelli

Thermometers

• Measures temperature
• A mercury-in-glass thermometer has a bulb on the end filled with mercury that expands when heated which causes the mercury to rise allowing the temperature to be read.
• It was invented by Galileo Galilei, Cornelis Drebbel, Robert Fludd, and Santorio Santorio

Measurements

Day 1 (Jan 18, 2016): Pressure 30.21+  |   Temperature 48F

Day 2 (Jan 19, 2016): Pressure 30.39+  |  Temperature 43F

Day 3 (Jan 20, 2016): Pressure 30.37-  |   Temperature 40F

Day 4 (Jan 21, 2016): Pressure 30.26-  |   Temperature 46F

Day 5 (Jan 22, 2016): Pressure 29.91-  |   Temperature 61F

Day 6 (Jan 23, 2016): Pressure 29.80+  |   Temperature 47F

Day 7 (Jan 24, 2016): Pressure 30.20+  |   Temperature 34F

Cyber Chip

Today I worked on earning the Cyber Chip. The way I learned the rules of cyber safety or computer safety was by playing games and watching videos at www.netsmartz.org/scouting. Here are some things I learned.

• Be respectful of other people's online property
• If something online makes you feel uncomfortable or scared tell a trusted adult
• Ask a trusted adult before posting information online
• Don't post mean things
• I won't meet face-to-face with anyone I meet in the digital world

Two Half-Hitches

Today I learned how to tie a two half-hitches knot.  My dad asked me what I could use it for.  Here is a short list of things you can use it for.

• If you were in Back to the Future III, you could use it to tie your horse to a post
• If you're camping and using stakes to hold down your tent, you could tie one end to the stake and the other end to the tent
• Finally, if you have a dog that is crazy, you could tie the dog's leash to a post to keep him from escaping

1890 Windermere School | Armstrong-Parramore House

 

Today I visited the 1890 Windermere School, located at 113 West Seventh Avenue in my town of Windermere, Florida.  For a few years it was a school, then it became a community center. Finally, in 1995 it was donated to the community. It is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Looking in through the windows I saw little chalkboards, a seat for the teacher, a big chalkboard, and a class picture.

My favorite part of the visit was ringing the school bell you can see just in the background. There was also an orange grove that is still there with 10-foot orange trees with oranges 10 feet up. I also visited an outhouse and saw the toilet inside.

Meet Officer Rodriguez

Today I went to the Windermere Police Station to meet Officer Eli Rodriguez. Officer Rodriguez has been a police officer for five years.  Before joining the Windermere Police he worked for the Department of Homeland Security. I also met his leader, Sergeant Bonk. I went to the police station so I could ask some questions about how to stay safe in my community.

Question 1: What are some suggestions for staying safe at school?
Answer: Be aware of your surroundings. Especially, watch out for strangers. You can identify them if they don't have a name tag and you don't recognize them.

Question 2: What are some ways to stay safe in my town?
Answer: Be aware of your surroundings. Keep your windows and doors in your house locked on a daily basis. You can get a security system for your house with things like a camera and alarm.

Question 3: When I am 16 years old and learn to drive a car, how can I stay safe?
Answer: Be aware of your surroundings (again). Always wear your seatbelt. Pay attention to traffic signs and traffic lights. Keep your car in good condition.

In conclusion, I learned some good ways to stay safe in my community.  Also, I am thankful for police officers, like Officer Rodriguez, who keep our community safe!

The American Flag

This is our country's flag.  It has 50 stars and 13 stripes, which signify the 50 states and the 13 original colonies.  It is disrespectful to let it touch the ground.  In the pledge of allegiance, we promise to be loyal to our country and be unified.

Two Famous Americans

WHO: Thomas Edison

WHAT: Inventor

WHY: He invented the lightbulb

WHEN: In 1879 he filed a patent 

WHERE: Menlo Park, NJ

WHO: Neil Armstrong

WHAT: Astronaut

WHY: First man on the moon

WHEN: 1969

WHERE: The moon

Family Kilowatt Usage

At my house we use electricity for many things including but not limited to the refrigerator,  air conditioner, lighting, and television.  As you can see in the chart above the highest kilowatt usage is in July.  The reason the electricity is so high is because July is the hottest month of the year and so the air conditioner is running a lot more than usual.

Here is a short list of ways you can reduce energy use.

• Use the fan more often than the air conditioner
• Spend less time watching television
• Use natural lighting more often