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Parents often ask how to get their kids off their devices. Parents want their kids to get out of the house, disconnect from the internet and engage in social skills building which will benefit them throughout their life. The pandemic made things more difficult since personal connections became more difficult as our society was thrust into a virtual world with less face to face interaction.

Scoutmaster Bill D’Zio of Troop 695 proposed Chess in the Park and Picnic to get the kids outside and have them have fun in a safe environment to learn, interact and have fun. The solution, get the kids outside, interacting, and learning while having fun. Scoutmaster D’Zio teamed up with Smita Kadam and Travis Johnson to help provide adult support for organizing the event. Smita helped organize the logistics of the event along will Bill. Travis volunteered to be the Merit Badge Counselor for the Chess event to help teach the kids about chess.

On September 10th, 2022 BSA Troop 695 for Boys and BSA Troop 8695 for Girls held a Chess workshop and tournament in the Lower Sammamish Commons Park pavilion. We had a great turn out of for for the workshop including a number of Webelos scouts exploring how they can continue scouting after completing the Arrow of light.

Scoutmaster D’Zio highlighted ”I hope all kids in the greater Sammamish area can get out and enjoy the weather and do activities like chess, hiking, camping and cooking. ”

The competition after the workshop allowed the youth to work on some of their new skills or hone chess moves. Youth 10+ were able to work towards Chess Merit Badge requirements.  Webelos from Margaret Mead Elementary School Cub Scout Pack 551 https://pack551.org/ and Creekside Cub Scout Pack 225 https://www.cubpack225.org/ also got a chance to play with older scouts and make new friends while enjoying the amazing weather in the park. 

Feedback and Reflections on the day

One parent highlighted ”My 15 year old daughter never was really interested in chess, but when she learned more about the game, played in the tournament, she asked to download a chess APP so she could play her friends online. It was like she had a new level of confidence ”

One parent highlighted the outcome of the event ”My 15 year old daughter came home and wanted me to help her install an online chess app so she could play with her otehr friends. She never showed interest before this event.. that must be part of the power of BSA Scouting. She had a whole new level of confidence after this event and learned chess at the same time.”

Scoutmaster D’Zio said ”Eagle Scout is an amazing goal, but even for those who do not achieve that rank… they still have the finger print on them from scouting”

Travis Johnson, the Volunteer Advancement Chair for both troops, lead the workshop while helping the scouts organize the tournament. Travis had this to say” life skills come from somewhere [scouting]”

Not just Chess, Cooking as well…

BSA Troop 8695 scouts also worked on Cooking Merit Badge requirements. The BSA scouts had a call in advance of the Chess in the Park Event to work through the menu for the day using “MyPlate” food guide. They did all the work… They created a shopping list for your meals showing the amount of food needed to prepare and serve each meal, and the cost for each meal. To their surprise, they were able to purchase all of the items from Trader Joe’s or Fred Meyer for half the cost originally estimated.  (A Scout is Frugal) They prepared the equipment and utensils needed to prepare and serve this meal.

Wrapping things up

At the end of the event, the certificates were handed out, and Scouts earning the Chess Merit Badge were notified they would receive their badge in the next Court of Honor on Saturday Sept 24th, 2022.  The scouts also policed the area looking for litter, scraps of paper, and ensuring they followed the the Outdoor Code and no-trace principles.

For over 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has helped create generations of leaders and outstanding citizens by allowing boys and girls to explore their interests, serve their communities, and discover their talents through youth-led activities like hiking, camping, and volunteering! BSA Troop 695 and 8695 were established to help achieve these goals for the greater Sammamish area and have serviced youth from Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, Bellevue areas.  

FAQ / QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM?

(Learn more about Scouts BSA)

What are the activities Scouts do?

During youth-led troop meetings, Scouts engage in Scout skill challenges, team building opportunities, patrol games, and troop games. You can read more about those activities here.

How can I as a parent get involved with Scouts BSA?

At Scouts BSA Troop 695 and 8695, we aim to build an inclusive, youth-led community where boys and girls of all backgrounds feel welcome and in control of their Scouting experience. If a parent or guardian wishes to observe a troop meeting or lend a helping hand with youth-led activities, they should consult with the Scoutmaster in advance.

How much does it cost to be a Scout?

As of September 2022, the annual registration fee is $66 and a one time $25 joining fee for Scouts BSA. However, there are additional fees to cover the cost of certain activities, program supplies and uniform/gear.

How can I be sure my Scout is safe?

Programs are designed to follow a strict set of rules and policies that can be found in the Guide to Safe Scouting. You can ready the GSS here https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/

My child just finished Cub Scouts. How do they transition to Scouts BSA?

Program resources are in place by both the Cub Scouts pack and the Scouts BSA troop. Learn more about how we ensure a smooth transition.

Is Scouts BSA inclusive of those with Disabilities?

We believe everyone should get the chance to participate in Scouting activities while being treated with the same level of respect as every other unit member. The Boy Scouts of America’s national camp standards require councils to include Scouts with special needs in camp programs to the extent that it is practical and safe.

Can I join Scouts BSA with no prior Cub Scout experience?

Absolutely! Youth can join Scouts BSA with no prior Scouting experience (i.e., Cub Scouts) as long as they meet the age requirements

Chess Merit Bade Requirements:

Requirements

1. Discuss with your merit badge counselor the history of the game of chess. Explain why it is considered a game of planning and strategy.

2. Discuss with your merit badge counselor the following:

a. The benefits of playing chess, including developing critical thinking skills, concentration skills, and decision-making skills, and how these skills can help you in other areas of your life

b. Sportsmanship and chess etiquette

3. Demonstrate to your counselor that you know each of the following. Then, using Scouting’s Teaching EDGE*, teach someone (preferably another Scout) who does not know how to play chess:

a. The name of each chess piece

b. How to set up a chessboard

c. How each chess piece moves, including castling and en passant captures

4. Do the following:

a. Demonstrate scorekeeping using the algebraic system of chess notation.

b. Discuss the differences between the opening, the middle game, and the endgame.

c. Explain four opening principles.

d. Explain the four rules for castling.

e. On a chessboard, demonstrate a “scholar’s mate” and a “fool’s mate.”

f. Demonstrate on a chessboard four ways a chess game can end in a draw.

5. Do the following:

a. Explain four of the following elements of chess strategy: exploiting weaknesses, force, king safety, pawn structure, space, tempo, time.

b. Explain any five of these chess tactics: clearance sacrifice, decoy, discovered attack, double attack, fork, interposing, overloading, overprotecting, pin, remove the defender, skewer, zwischenzug.

c. Set up a chessboard with the white king on e1, the white rooks on a1 and h1, and the black king on e5. With White to move first, demonstrate how to force checkmate on the black king.

d. Set up and solve five direct-mate problems provided by your merit badge counselor.

6. Do ONE of the following:

a. Play at least three games of chess with other Scouts and/or your merit badge counselor. Replay the games from your score sheets and discuss with your counselor how you might have played each game differently.

b. Play in a scholastic (youth) chess tournament and use your score sheets from that tournament to replay your games with your merit badge counselor. Discuss with your counselor how you might have played each game differently.

c. Organize and run a chess tournament with at least four players, plus you. Have each competitor play at least two games.