March - April 2003

Learning And Sharing

By Suzannah Gilman
Photographs By John R. Fulton Jr.

At the Southwest Florida Council's annual University of Scouting Arts, Scouters become better leaders by earning advanced "degrees" in leadership skills and knowledge.

• This Chair Is Just Right
• USA Student Social Clubs
• One Pack's Success Story
• Visiting Some Other 'Campuses'

It's class picture time for students enrolled in the Southwest Florida Council's University of Scouting Arts.

On a sweltering Saturday morning in April, a group of Scouters is gathered under a sun shelter at Camp Miles in the Southwest Florida Council's Price Sanders Scout Reservation. They listen intently as Barbara Rippy, Cubmaster of Pack 217 in Fort Myers, explains the benefits of using "glow sticks" instead of candles in unit ceremonies.

The briefing on the nonflammable, chemical-powered green lights is part of Rippy's "Effective Use of Ceremonies" class, one of 64 courses offered during the council's annual University of Scouting Arts (USA), a weekend festival of learning opportunities for Scout leaders.

A matter of degrees

The event resembles an academic university in structure and content as well as in name. Event director Laurie Belle is the university's "chancellor," assisted by vice chancellors of business and finance, academics, and student affairs. There is even a board of regents.

Over three years, Scouters who take designated courses during each annual weekend can earn a "bachelor's," "master's," and "doctor's" degree in the "Scouting Arts" or "Commissioner Science."

Like many USA class instructors, Barbara Rippy has previously achieved the university's highest degree. For that reason, for three days in April at least, she is known to her students as "Dr. Barbara Rippy."

Glowing green light in hand, Dr. Rippy notes that the chemical light sticks can be used for outdoor ceremonies in dry locations or when younger children are involved.

With a touch of flair, Barbara Rippy teaches the "Effective Use of Ceremonies" class.

A class member speaks up, describing his experiences using light sticks with younger children.

"We found that the Tiger Cubs aren't strong enough to 'break' the sticks and make them glow," he says. "So when our pack used them in a Tiger Cub ceremony, we activated the sticks ahead of time."

Rippy then selects class members to stage a mock ceremony, so the Scouters can better appreciate how Scouts will view such an event. After much mugging, they complete the ceremony, and the class applauds their performance.

Easy interaction

Students and professors agree that the sharing of ideas and experiences and the easy interaction between participants and instructors are what make the weekend such a rewarding experience.

Voices fill the night as students go through their song sheets at the Saturday bonfire.

A major goal of the program, says Dan Lima, one of the USA's founders, is to provide inexperienced Scouters the opportunity to get together with veteran Scouters.

The price certainly is right. Students can earn a degree for $20, which also includes room, board, and "books" (handouts).

Lima and Bob Motl, Red Dog Maynard, and Richard (Butch) Kagy were among a group of veteran Scouters responsible for launching the University of Scouting concept in the Southwest Florida Council. In Atlanta, they had attended a "College of Commissioner Science," an academic format for commissioner training used in many councils.

An aluminum box oven bakes scrumptious chocolate chip cookies for class members.

The four Scouters decided their council should offer a similar intensive training event. It would be designed to augment the training provided by New Leader Essentials, Leader Specific Training, monthly roundtables, and Cub Scout leader pow wows.

"We wanted everyone to have more training available to them, no matter what their leadership position was in Scouting," says Red Dog Maynard, retired U.S. Army colonel, former USA chancellor, and current chairman of the board of regents.

The result was the University of Scouting Arts, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The university's first year featured 13 classes and a faculty of 20, and was attended by 75 Scouters. At USA IX in 2002, the numbers had grown to 64 classes, 57 instructors, and 240 students.

Camaraderie and inspiration

The university concept is popular for several reasons. It offers Scouters a structured program in which they can advance and be rewarded with degrees and titles for each level of achievement. They also can gain a stronger sense of self-worth and a better understanding of their increasing value to the Scouting community.

René Boosinger shows how to use realistic wounds and abrasions in first-aid classes.

Students are inspired to return each year, not only to learn and earn higher degrees, but also to share their experiences with fellow students.

And the atmosphere of camaraderie and school spirit invigorates the students, inspiring them to return home and share their enthusiasm with Scouts and other leaders.

"Coming to USA gets you all pepped up to go back to your unit," explains Barbara Rippy. "You're excited because you've learned all kinds of new things, like songs and games, how to deal with boys, how to deal with parents, and administrative details. This is my fourth year, and every year I've gone away with something new."

Scouting and school spirit is the first subject tackled, following the Friday night registration. Students are grouped in classes according to the degrees they are seeking: undergraduates (working toward a bachelor's degree in Scouting Arts), commissioners (Bachelor or Master of Commissioner Science), masters (a master's degree in Scouting Arts), postgrads (an additional level created between the master's and doctorate degrees), and the Ph.D. candidates.

Students watch their step when walking between classes. One resident of this South Florida area (an alligator) was spotted sleeping in the parking lot beneath a student's vehicle.

Each class elects a president on Friday night, and the winners are announced on Saturday morning at the opening ceremony, which is presented as a typical college pep rally. Class presidents are in charge of maintaining class spirit and making sure their class has a skit and/or song ready to share on a moment's notice.

College references replace standard camp lingo. The dining hall becomes the "student union," the campground is "the campus," and the camp trading post is "the bookstore." Saturday night features a "bonfire" rather than a campfire.

The atmosphere is one of fun and fellowship, but there's also an attitude of respect for the importance of the weekend."It's all about the boys," says assistant Scoutmaster Barbara Schropp from Troop 119 in Fort Myers. As an assistant professor, she teaches a class on Scouts' and Scouters' religious needs. It tackles the important issue of reaching out to a diverse group of youth and adults in ways that are meaningful to them, using a nonsectarian approach.

The wide range of USA course topics is demonstrated by classes such as "Consider Your Spouse," taught by assistant professors Jeff and Sandra Ahlquist. The class deals with a leader balancing Scouting involvement and home responsibilities—especially when the spouse is not involved in Scouting.

Key university volunteers are Jay Holbrook, chancellor in 2003; Dan Lima; Laurie Belle, 2002 chancellor; Red Dog Maynard; and Butch Kagy.

"Scouting and the Single-Parent Family" is another innovative topic.

Some classes evolve from existing courses. Dr. Pete Galli, who teaches camp cooking and roasts a whole hog as an ongoing, daylong demonstration, started a cook-off following the Saturday night bonfire. The competitive event became so popular and inspired so much creativity (and great food) that it will be added as a for-credit class.

Teachers from the 'real world'

Along with having courses taught by veteran Scouters, the university takes advantage of their professors' real-world jobs. Attorney Steve White teaches "Scouting and the Law," a course on legal issues and risk management.

Registered nurse RenŽ Boosinger teaches "First-Aid Special Effects," which shows Scouters how to get theatrical in teaching first aid to youth. Students late to this class might think they have stumbled into a haunted house, judging from the bandaged bodies, fake blood, and ghastly wounds.

Tom Gissal, right, and Donna Fernandez teach "Advanced Cub Scout Operations" to students. The university's 2002 catalog included 64 classes, taught by 57 instructors.

Other courses have been taught by accountants and clergy.

Because so many Scouters return year after year, class topics are updated, revised, and shuffled regularly. This ensures that each year's lineup will feature new topics and the latest information.

The weekend culminates with graduation on Sunday, when the Scouters clear out of their "dorm rooms" and the degrees are awarded.

The celebratory spirit of students and faculty during the awards presentation reflects how successful the weekend has been. Perhaps this success is due to the similarities between the University of Scouting Arts and Scouting's youth program. Like Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers, each Scouter has set a goal, applied him- or herself to the task, and received recognition for a job well done.

Youth, it seems, aren't alone in their desire to earn new ranks and show off what they know.

Freelance writer Suzannah Gilman lives in Orlando, Fla.

This Chair Is Just Right Bob Motl, Dan Lima, and Red Dog Maynard exercise their rocking chair rights, having earned Ph.D.'s and served as chancellors. Lined in a row outside the university's "student union" (the camp dining hall) are numerous wooden rocking chairs, each with a small rectangular plate engraved with a name. The chairs "belong to" the former chancellors of the University of Scouting Arts. Having rights to rock in the shade during a long, balmy day is one of the perks of having earned a doctorate and having served as chancellor. After handling the details of this year's event, Dr. Laurie Belle, chancellor of USA IX, said she couldn't wait to "sit a spell" in a chair of her own. —S.G.

USA Student Social Clubs It wouldn't be college without extracurricular clubs, and the Southwest Florida Council's University of Scouting Arts is no exception. Maybe you would like to join the Bucketeers: "For those who can't sing but want to anyway." Or perhaps GLOW (Grand Ladies of the Woods) would suit you better. If you're working toward your doctorate but just can't seem to get there, the Poke and Dawdle Club ("for those who are still working on their project or thesis") might be right for you. But if you're really too tired after a long day of studying to get excited about much of anything, the Sit, Spit, and Rock Club might be for you. It's "for those who have, or intend to, rock on the porch." —S.G.

One Pack's Success Story Pack 761 in North Fort Myers had several leaders attending the University of Scouting Arts IX, including John Doherty and Sandra Trantina. Doherty said his most common questions as a new leader are "How do I do this?" and "How do I do that?"—and USA has provided him with many answers. Trantina said the pack was able to recruit three new adult volunteers this year by inviting them to USA. She also noted that what pack leaders have learned from previous universities has helped them plan a better program calendar, set up more fun activities, boost parental involvement—and double their membership. —S.G.

Visiting Some Other 'Campuses' Many Scout councils use a one-day or weekend University of Scouting to offer leaders a variety of supplemental training, provided in an entertaining format at a single location. Below is a brief sampling of how some councils conduct the event: In Omaha, Neb., the Mid-America Council hosted its 2002 Heartland University of Scouting in November at Girls and Boys Town. The Saturday event featured the theme "Link to the Future" and was sponsored by Union Pacific. Seventy-seven classes in five categories were available, plus a midway with exhibits by businesses, organizations, and individual Scout units. Scouters at the Black Swamp Area Council's one-day 2002 University of Scouting last April at Kalida (Ohio) High School could take as many as six classes, selected from 60 different subjects. The program also included courses for den chiefs and Order of the Arrow representatives, and CPR certification training. Last March the Blackhawk Area Council of Rockford, Ill., as host, joined in a consortium with seven other councils from Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana to stage the Lord Baden-Powell University of Scouting. Held at Aurora University's George Williams College campus in Williams Bay, Wis., the 2002 event featured more than 90 courses and marked the 13th year for the annual weekend of leadership training. For its November 2001 University of Scouting at Blue Ridge Community College, the Daniel Boone Council, Asheville, N.C., used a railroad theme, featuring classes with names like "Loco Locomotive Games," "Wabash Cannonball Management of Boys," and "Steam Engine Derbies." The Tri-State Area Council, Huntington, W.Va., hosted its 2002 University of Scouting in January at Ashland (Ky.) Community College. Scouters and parents were welcomed to the one-day event, which included lunch staged as a Cub Scout blue and gold banquet.

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