Regular readers of the news in the Royse City and Rockwall area should be well aware of scouting activities and opportunities. Hardly a month goes by without seeing bright young faces tromping through the forests, streams and campsites of the nearby area.

Most of this is due to the efforts of a Royse City resident named Tracey Tousley, who has taken it upon herself to act as the area’s biggest PR agent for both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

With children in both organizations, Tousley documents and broadcasts a love for the rewards of scouting with a volume that can sometimes make professional firms green with envy.

But behind the camera’s lens is a scout leader that takes her leadership role seriously. Seriously enough to subject herself to rigorous training simply to be a better servant to the troops she serves.

Recently, Tousley participated in the Boy Scouts’ Woodbadge training course for scout leaders. Woodbadge is the highest level of scouting leadership training for adults. Lord Baden-Powell, taught the first course in 1919. He gave each of the participants one of the beads he had captured from the African chieftain Dinizulu, from which the course derived its name. The training involves living outdoors for a week, often working on tasks for up to 16 hours a day. “This is my second time to earn my beads,” Tousley said. “I took it many, many years ago under a different syllabus. I decided to take it again under the new one, keeping up with the changing times. It is a very good course and would help anyone with life in general. I work well with the scouts because of woodbadge and I am a better servant to the community. “I am being recognized for my second earning the second set of beads. I will wear them for less than a week because I will get to Philmont Training Center on Saturday morning and receive my trainers beads for a total of seven.”

Tousley maintains that her service to scouting has benefit herself much more than the young people she has served and celebrated over the years.
“I have learned a lot through scouting and I am forever grateful to the knowledge I have received,” Tousley said. “I believe that I have survived as long as I have because of scouting ... it’s my life.”

Awards Leaders Can Earn:

Cub Scouter Award

Tenure

Complete 1 year as a registered Webelos den leader.
(Dates of service used to earn this award cannot be used to earn another key or award.)

Training

1. Complete "The New Webelos Den Leader" Fast Start training.
2. Complete basic training for Webelos den leaders.
3. Complete Youth Protection Training.
4. Complete outdoor training for Webelos den leaders.
5. During your tenure for this award, participate in a Cub Scout leader pow wow or University of Scouting, or attend at least four roundtables.

Performance

1. During at least one program year, have a minimum of 50 percent of the Webelos Scouts in your den advance in rank
   (Webelos Badge or Arrow of Light Award).
2. At least once, reregister a minimum of 75 percent of the eligible members of your den as a part of pack rechartering.
3. Graduate a minimum of 60 percent of the eligible members of your Webelos den into Boy Scouting.
4. Have an assistant Webelos den leader who meets regularly with your Webelos den.
5. Have a Webelos den chief who meets regularly with your den.
6. Take leadership in planning and conducting two Webelos overnight campouts or other outdoor den activities.
7. Assist in planning and conducting a Webelos den / Boy Scout troop joint activity.
8. Take leadership in planning and conducting a Webelos den service project.
9. Conduct at least three Webelos den meetings per month, 9 months per year or follow an optional meeting plan approved by the pack.
10. Participate with your den in a Webelos day camp or resident camp experience.
11. Explore three "Character Connection" activities with your den members in one year.
12. Hold regular den meeting and activity planning sessions with your assistant den leader.