Hey Troop 895,

here is a compellation of the Scout Master Minutes during our meetings. Take some time to look at them and reflect upon the message...

Yours in Scouting,

the Scout Master(s)

Dear Scouts of Troop 895,

Here is my first message as Scout Master of Troop 895..

I was in charge of the Cub Scouts for four years and wanted to make the best possible program for the cubbies. Besides my regular job, family and personal interests, I used the fundamental message from the Cub Scout Program in order to keep me focused, excited and driven to do just that... "Do Your Best".

"Do Your Best" is the motto of the Cubs. In the Boy Scouts, we can not ask of more, expect more or want more. We, as leaders, want YOU to perform at your best levels. We want YOU to make the efforts necessary to make YOUR Boy Scout program the best it could be.

Please remember those three simple words which carry alot of meaning, and strive to "Do YOUR Best"... and of course "Be Prepared"...

Yours in Scouting,

 SM- Michael Kaiserauer, TR 895

Filling My Jar Minute
A Favorite Minute

Required:a glass jar, some rocks, pebbles, sand, water

There is only so much a person can do. I have a real job (put rock in jar). I teach a Sunday School class (add a rock). I volunteer at school (add a rock) I run to stay in shape (add a rock) ... continue listing other main things you do.

So, there, I'm full. I can't do anything else, even if someone asked. I expect most of you are the same way. You are so busy, you can't possibly take on anything else. Your jar is full like mine.

But, maybe if its not too big, I can do it. Like drive for a weekend campout, or arrange a fundraiser, or help at church one week, or plan a service project, or organize a parent's picnic. (add pebbles to the jar as you list the activities. Shake the jar to settle them until it is full.)

Wow, I guess I could do a little more than I thought. But, now, that's it, really. I couldn't possibly do more. Just like you, I'm doing too much now. Well, maybe if its just a small thing, I could. Like shoveling my neighbor's walk, or leading a game at a meeting, or helping someone with schoolwork, or cleaning the church for an hour. (pour the sand in as you list the items. Shake to settle).

Huh! Well, what do you know. Looks like I could do a bit more than I thought. I guess I just needed to make the time. As you can see, my jar is definitely full. I did more than I thought I could and I'm really able to accomplish a lot. No way could I fit anything else in.

But, now I don't have time for just relaxing. How can I just have fun? There's no room left. (Pour water in as you list things). I want to watch TV, play video games, see a movie, play football, ...

So, what does this mean? It seems I can do much more than I thought and I still have a little time to play. The point is that you need to get the big rocks - the important things - scheduled into your life first. Decide what is most important to you and make time for it. Then, fill in your time with other worthwhile, meaningful activities. That time left over is your relaxing time.

Be careful not to fill your life with the little things first or there won't be room for the big, important things.

SM- Shelby Fällenbacher, TR 895

  Donkey in a Well Minute  

A farmer had a donkey that unfortunately fell into an abandoned well. It brayed and brayed until the farmer heard him and came running over.

The well was deep and the farmer couldn't figure out how to hoist the donkey out. Besides, the donkey was getting old and the farmer had other donkeys. And, the well was abandoned and should be covered up anyway, so ...

The farmer called his neighbors over with their shovels. They all gathered around and started shoveling dirt onto the donkey, which was still braying away in fear.

After awhile, the farmers couldn't hear the donkey any longer. They continued to fill the well with dirt until suddenly the donkey stepped up and out of the well!

As the farmers shoveled dirt onto the back of the donkey, he would shake it off and step up onto the new dirt until the dirt lifted him out.

You will get dirt shoveled on you in your life - lots of dirt, all kinds of dirt. When you feel like you're stuck in a well, just shake all that dirt off and take a step up.
If someone says you can't do something, shake it off and step on it.
If you do poorly, shake it off, step on it, and try again.
When you stop trying, that's when the dirt will bury you. So, shake it off, step up, and never give up.

SM- Shelby Fällenbacher, TR 895

  I can Sleep at Night Minute  

In the old, old days the Boy Scouts had a contest to find the best scout. They wanted to find which scout had best exemplified the scout oath, law, motto, and all that is scouting. The prize was a new tent, sleeping bag, and flashlight plus a weekend campout with the Dan Beard - a founder of the BSA.

One scout was easily selected - it was a unanimous decision based on all he had done and his leadership. Dan Beard flew into town and met the scout, gave him his prizes, and headed out on their campout.
On the hike to the campsite, Mr. Beard asked the scout, "So, why do you think you earned this reward?"
The scout thought awhile and replied, "Well, I guess it's because I can sleep at night."
This caught Beard by surprise and he didn't know what to think, so he just pondered it on the hike.
After setting up camp, eating dinner, and a short campfire, Mr. Beard decided to go to bed, and some time later so did the scout. Around midnight, BOOM it hit, a big thunderstorm!
Dan got out of bed and went to bank the fire but it had already been banked. He then went to secure the firewood but that had already been put under a tarp. He then went to put up the cooking supplies and food but that, too, had already been taken care of.
As it started to rain, he looked in on that scout and saw that he was fast asleep!
Mr. Beard retired to his tent and thought about what that young scout had told him - "I can sleep at night"

SM- Shelby Fällenbacher, TR 895

  Scout's Map and Compass Minute  

Required:map, compass

I have here a map and a compass. With these tools, I can find my way to any place I want and back again. I can find where I am, where I want to go, and how to get there. That doesn't mean I'll never take a wrong turn, but I'll be able to recognize it and fix my mistake.
A map gives us a lay of the land. It shows us landmarks and we can see the best ways to move from place to place. A compass helps us find our bearings and figure out which direction to go from where we are to reach our goal.

Boy Scouts learn how to use a map and compass. If you have these tools with you, you may get lost or off track, but if you know how to use them, you can find your way back.
We also have another type of map and compass - not for hiking, but for living.
The Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. That is our map. Each point is a landmark, something to strive for.
The Scout Oath: On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. That is our compass. It shows us how to navigate through life, which decision to make when faced with a challenge or opportunity.

We use the map (the Scout Law) as a guide for our lives and the compass (the Scout Oath) to keep ourselves oriented.

One thing I really like about Boy Scouts is that I am required to take the same oath and live by the same law that the Scouts do. And you know, if a young (or old) man makes all efforts to live up to the Scout Oath and Scout Law, he is bound to be a pretty good person.

SM- Shelby Fällenbacher, TR 895

  Two Little Words Minute  

Some of you might say, it's "We won!" Others would vote for, "Here's money!" But I think the best two-word sentence is "Thank you. "

It isn't used as often as it should be. How often do you use it? And how often do you say thank you to the persons who are closest to you, your mother and father? How often do you say it to your friends or even strangers when they do something for you?

It's so easy to forget, especially if the Good Turn is done by somebody in your family. Too often we take for granted the many things our parents and other family members do for us.

Here's a challenge for you. Between now and next troop meeting, see if you can find some reason to say thank you every day to some member of your family. You may be surprised how they will react.

A simple thank you costs nothing, but it means so much to those who matter most to you. Good manners can be the difference between you being just another Scout and one who earns himself respect from those around him.

SM- Shelby Fällenbacher, TR895