Introduction and Preparations

Aloha to all interested in the happenings of our patrol. I am our patrol's Assistant Scoutmaster. My name is Ryan Wooden. Our Scoutmaster is Zion Hallenbeck. Zion works for the Navy on our submarines and is often gone to sea for extended periods of time. Shortly after being called to be Scoutmaster, Zion was required to serve at sea and is scheduled to be back in November. During times while Zion is away, my wife and I will be leading the program. My wife's name is Brandi. She's the greatest blessing in my life and a better supporter of my efforts than I could ever have hoped for. She's also an excellent cookie baker, as the boys will confirm :)

It is a great blessing to be asked to aid this troop in their progression. It has been placed in my charge to help them attain the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class before they turn twelve. This is an easy task to accomplish over a year's time. However, some of our boys will be turning twelve as early as November and all the boys came under our aid without any requirements met. So dust of your boots 'cause it's time to get running!

Prior to our first meeting with the boys, Brandi and I thought it would be helful to the boys if they could see their progress each time we met. We decided to make a poster that tracks their progress toward each rank.


Sammy, our kitten, wanted to help, but she was easily distracted by the camera.


The poster is laid out in three sections, one for each rank.



We're hoping that seeing their progress will be a source of motivation for the patrol. Pretty soon, it will be all marked up and our boys will be ever more prepared for the life ahead of them.