Follow @halfeaglebot for new Scouting blog post announcements!
Cub Scout Camping
Posted to Scoutmaster Musings on May 29th, 2015
One good thing I like about the new Cub Scout program is its stronger push for outdoor activities, including camping. Only a couple years ago, Tigers were finally allowed to camp, now every rank except Tiger requires camping. This may mean a... [more]
21 funny summer vacation jokes
Posted to Inside Boys' Life on May 27th, 2015
Celebrate the end of school and the beginning of summer with these 21 funny summer vacation jokes sent to us by Boys' Life readers. Brendan: Where do sharks go on summer vacation? Jordan: Where? Brendan: Finland! Submitted by Brendan G., Kirkland,... [more]
Pedro the Mailburro Takes Up Tennis Pedro wants to be a tennis...
Posted to Inside Boys' Life on May 27th, 2015
Pedro the Mailburro Takes Up Tennis Pedro wants to be a tennis star, and has begun his training. How well do you think that went? Special thanks to the Arlington Tennis Center for use of the facility!... [more]
Build a Wooden Yo-yo
Posted to Inside Boys' Life on May 26th, 2015
What You'll Need: 3?4? thick hardwood or plywood board, large enough to cut out two 21?2? disks Safety goggles Drill 21?2? hole saw with 1?4? pilot bit Sandpaper Tongue oil 1?4? x 2? bolt with locking nut Two 1?4? washers 1?4? x 1?4? x 1?2? nylon... [more]
Issue 444 â" May 26, 2015
Posted to Ask Andy on May 26th, 2015
________________________________________ Hello Andy, I just read your Issue 443 (May 19th). BRAVO! That letter to you about a troop equipment trailer and insurance hit the nail on the head! We have a "troop shed" that requires no insurance of any... [more]
Summer Camp Resources
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 26th, 2015
It's a privilege for adults to accompany Scouts to summer camp. Camp is a great place that may well be the most important week in a patrol and troop's year. While at camp I put myself and the other adults of guests and observers. We define our... [more]
Choose Pedro's Wacky Adventure
Posted to Inside Boys' Life on May 26th, 2015
Choose Pedro's Wacky Adventure http://media.boyslife.org/pedro-story/index.htm View On WordPress... [more]
Memorial Day 2015 â" Peace Scouting
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 25th, 2015
On this Memorial Day we honor the memories and continuing dedication of women and men who have served our country. We must rememebr that when meet, when we camp, when we march in parades and decorate the graves of those who served, the great debt... [more]
Scouting and Amateur Radio meet at Dayton
Posted to Bobwhite's Blather on May 25th, 2015
Last week I attended the Dayton Hamvention®, the largest annual gathering of Amateur Radio operators in the world. Amateur, or "ham", radio and Scouting grew up almost in parallel at roughly the same time. Scouting just observed its hundredth... [more]
B-P's Blog â" Sunday in Camp
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 24th, 2015
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and... [more]
Meet Imagine Dragons lead singer (and Eagle Scout) Dan Reynolds
Posted to Inside Boys' Life on May 22nd, 2015
Meet Imagine Dragons lead singer (and Eagle Scout) Dan Reynolds Hear audio from our interview with Dan: https://boyslifeorg.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/dan-reynolds-audio.mp3 The spotlights go out, the crowds go home and the fog clears. It's after... [more]
Centuries of Service
Posted to The Scoutmaster Minute on May 21st, 2015
This year for the third time in the history of the Order of the Arrow a patch may be worn on the Sash. This patch represents the Centuries of Service Award available for all Arrowmen to earn this year. The program started in July of 2014 and will... [more]
Patch Trading
Posted to The Scoutmaster Minute on May 21st, 2015
One of the fun traditions of Scouting is patch trading. I have been acquiring patches now since about 1978. I would like to say that I have a ton of patches, but I really don't. You see, I did like most Scouts and Scouters do and did, I got a patch... [more]
CM Scrubber for Cast Iron
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 20th, 2015
When you first see the CM Scrubber you'll probably say the same thing I did; "it's too expensive!" But the next time you have a crusty dutch oven to clean you'll agree that it's worth every penny. Put some water in the oven while it's still warm,... [more]
Can You See What Scouts See?
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 19th, 2015
If your perspective of developing leadership is limited to what you believe needs to happen rather than observing what is actually happening you'll miss opportunities, Let's imagine we're sitting around a table with the patrol leader's council... [more]
Issue 443 â" May 19, 2015
Posted to Ask Andy on May 19th, 2015
________________________________________ My previous column closed on a bullying scenario-something that seems to be in the news more and more these days. When I was a kid growing up, bullies were pretty easy to handle. You got a bunch of your... [more]
June Pack Meeting Plan â" Go for the Gold (Perseverance)
Posted to Scouter Mom on May 19th, 2015
The monthly themes based on core values will be replaced with themes based on the Scout Law starting in September. But for this summer there are still core value themes. The Cub Scout core value for the month of June is Perseverance. BSA has a Cub... [more]
Scoutmaster Podcast 268 â" Rank Requirements
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 18th, 2015
What do the resources say? Who signs rank requirements? It's up to the unit leader to select and train those who approve advancement, that's the short answer! Listen for the longer answer and answers to email questions about troop meetings, terms... [more]
Mistakes for the right reasons
Posted to Bobwhite's Blather on May 18th, 2015
To err is human. We're all familiar with the observation that Alexander Pope made in his writings on criticism. So why do we get all bent out of shape when things go wrong? With adults it's one thing ââ¬â by now, you think, they should know... [more]
Epic Fail Dudeâ¦
Posted to The Scoutmaster Minute on May 18th, 2015
We just got home and got cleaned up from this years District Camporee. It was a good event, not without it's ups and downs and for one Troop, disappointment. This morning we stood and watched as Troops received ribbons for placing in events and... [more]
B-P's Blog â" Drawing
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 17th, 2015
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and... [more]
Issue 442 â" May 16, 2015
Posted to Ask Andy on May 16th, 2015
________________________________________ To my many Scouters, Scouts, parents, professionals, and other loyal readers, sincere thanks for your patience! These past few weeks have been jam-packed with all sorts of responsibilities-family,... [more]
Good News Award
Posted to A Scoutmaster's Blog on May 14th, 2015
The Central Minnesota Council has several special awards they present each year at their recognition banquet. I received an email from Mary at the council office asking if I was planning to attend. The way she worded the email made me a little... [more]
How Healthy is your Troop?
Posted to The Scoutmaster Minute on May 14th, 2015
As in the business world, Scouting is something that can and is ranked and rated. The things that we do in Scouting, in keeping with all great organizations that have a purpose and direction, a vision, measure what they do to stay focused and on... [more]
Vitamin N
Posted to A Scoutmaster's Blog on May 14th, 2015
Scoutmasters are proud of their Scouts. They welcome them as they come into the troop as a 10 or 11 year old, sometimes frightened, Webelos graduate from a Cub Scout Scout Pack and than watch them grow as they develop Scouting skills and become... [more]
Stop Being a Merit Badge Counselor
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 13th, 2015
"Merit Badge Counselor", taken literally, describes someone who counsels a bit of cloth called a merit badge. I know nobody actually counsels inert bits of cloth, but it makes you think doesn't it? We don't counsel merit badges, we counsel real,... [more]
Teton Mountain Ultra 3 â" First Impressions
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 12th, 2015
A couple of years ago we replaced our troop's tents with the Marmot Limelight 3 (you can read about the rationale and the Marmot Limelight here ) The folks at Teton sports offer a similar design, the Teton Mountain Ultra 3 . I had my first chance... [more]
Scoutmaster Podcast 267 â" Email!
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 11th, 2015
It's catch-up time! In this week's podcast I'll catch up on email questions concerning approving requirements, relationships between Cub Packs and Troops, moving to a new Troop, unit policy manuals, how Scouts address Scouters, and determining what... [more]
A Week of Camp Life
Posted to Scouter Mom on May 11th, 2015
A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room ââ¬â Robert Baden-Powell This is so true! And a week of camp life is much more fun than sitting in a meeting room also. And young men learn about responsibility... [more]
Do the right stuff on the front end
Posted to Bobwhite's Blather on May 11th, 2015
Leaders are often responsible for seeing that those who they lead deliver results, and it's no different in Scouting. Our youth leaders must work together to achieve common goals. The leaders that the Scouts elect are directly responsible for not... [more]
B-P's Blog â" Transition
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 10th, 2015
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and... [more]
Happy Mother's Day
Posted to Scouter Mom on May 10th, 2015
I'd like to wish all of the Scouter Mom's out there a Happy Mother's Day. Thanks for making a difference in the lives of our youth. The great thing about being a Scouter Mom is that you get to know so many great Scouts and Venturers. When I see... [more]
Cub Scout World Conservation Award
Posted to Cub Scout Ideas on May 8th, 2015
Find out the new requirements for the Cub Scout World Conservation... [more]
Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award
Posted to Scouter Mom on May 8th, 2015
[cs2015] With the changes to the Cub Scout program, many of the requirements for supplemental awards have to be updated as well. One of the awards with new requirements is the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award. This award encourages Cub Scouts to... [more]
Kontiki raft mass calculator
Posted to Ropes and Poles on May 8th, 2015
Gauteng KonTiki is coming up next weekend, and the Gauteng Scout Water Activities Advisory Council , along with Puddle Pirates Rover Crew , has developed this Excel spreadsheet which helps calculate the mass of a raft, and ultimately calculate how... [more]
A man shall leave his mother
Posted to Bobwhite's Blather on May 7th, 2015
When my niece got married a few months ago, one of the songs she and her new husband chose was the Wedding Song, written by Paul Stookey of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary. We're probably all familiar with it ââ¬â one of the stanzas starts out... [more]
Write a funny caption
Posted to Inside Boys' Life on May 7th, 2015
What's going on in this picture? What happened to that truck and why are trees growing in it? If you can think of a funny caption for this photo, just post it in the comment form at the bottom of this page. After we approve it, your funny caption... [more]
Which online game service is best?
Posted to Inside Boys' Life on May 6th, 2015
You probably play videogames online. But which online console games service gives you the best bang for your buck? Here's everything you need to know to make the decision. XBOX LIVE Has a free version that doesn't allow you to play online games for... [more]
How to stop tent leaks
Posted to Inside Boys' Life on May 6th, 2015
How to tent leaks Q. Dear Gear Guy, I have a summer pup tent, and whenever it rains, the tent leaks. The tag says not to waterproof it, but I need to stop the leaks. What do I do? â Distressed Dylan, from the Internet Hmm, that's a tricky one,... [more]
The First Green Bar Bill Article in Boy's Life.
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 6th, 2015
In Podcast 265-266 I played excerpts of a recording of Green Bar Bill Hillcourt where he mentions his first article in October 1932 issue of Boy's Life. The "Cover to Cover" section on page 2 introduces Bill; We start off in this issue by roping in... [more]
Build a Catapult with Depressors and Craft Sticks
Posted to Scouter Mom on May 6th, 2015
Building a catapult is a fun STEM activity for Scouts. They can learn about physics and energy. An easy way to do this is with a small scale catapult. This depressor catapult is one of several small catapult designs in the book Mini Weapons of Mass... [more]
Baloo's Bugle: Volume 21 Issue 10 - April 2015 June 2015 Core Value - Thrifty | Go for the Gold
Posted to U.S. Scouting Service Project on May 5th, 2015
Baloo's Bugle: Volume 21 Issue 10 - April 2015 June 2015 Core Value - Thrifty | Go for the Gold Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com... [more]
Autism and Scouting, One Boy's Personal Journey
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 5th, 2015
This video speaks for itself, I want to note, however how the attitude and will of the adults involved made this a positive story. Listen to Chase describe how he felt and how he perceived things. Listen to Chase's mom describe how she felt as a... [more]
3 Mexican-inspired Dutch oven recipes
Posted to Inside Boys' Life on May 5th, 2015
3 Mexican-inspired Dutch oven recipes Enjoy a taste of Mexico on your next campout with these three tasty Dutch Oven recipes. EASY ENCHILADAS A winning recipe in the Scouting and Boys' Life magazines' Campout Cuisine Contest. Created by Scouts... [more]
Podcast 266 â" Scouting Source Code 3
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 4th, 2015
Where is it? What is it? In this week's podcast I'll complete our series on the search for the Scouting "source code", we'll find out where it is, who created it, and why. Links in this podcast My.Scouting.Org PDF by Martin Ohrenberg A Troop... [more]
Who Plans Pack Activities?
Posted to Scouter Mom on May 4th, 2015
Amy sent in this question: I'm CC and am being told by the CM that he and the outdoor activity chair are the only two who get to plan the summer activities. This is not how I understood the planning was handled. Shouldn't it be open to all leaders... [more]
Financial practices for units: The unit budget
Posted to Bobwhite's Blather on May 4th, 2015
Now that many troops and packs are winding down the most active part of their program year and are looking forward to scaling back a bit over the summer, and as adult leadership and committee assignments often change, it's a good idea to review how... [more]
B-P's Blog â" Brotherhood
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on May 3rd, 2015
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and... [more]
Olympic Day 2015
Posted to Scoutmaster Musings on May 2nd, 2015
The BSA ScoutStrong program is a healthy living initiative, promoting an active lifestyle for youth and their adult guides. So, it makes sense that celebrating Olympic Day fits into the ScoutStrong initiative and is yet another opportunity for you... [more]
Product Review: Catapult Cruzers
Posted to Scouter Mom on May 2nd, 2015
Catapult Cruzers recently sent me a couple of samples to review. Catapult Cruzers are toy airplanes which you put together. Then you launch them using a lightweight bungee cord. They are also going to give a free Catapult Cruzer to one of you! See... [more]
May KNOTS Scout Cartoon - Alpine Butterfly Tying an Alpine Butterfly
Posted to U.S. Scouting Service Project on May 1st, 2015
An Alpine Butterfly tying an Alpine Butterfly! Cafe Press Items Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com... [more]
Why do Scouts go Camping?
Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on April 30th, 2015
I was dumbfounded when the parent of a Webelos visiting our troop asked; "What about a Scout who doesn't really like camping?" How would you answer that question? The best I could come up with was; "I don't really know what Scouting is if we... [more]
Want to see more Scouting blogs? Why not check out the main page with the recent Scouting blog posts? Or maybe check out some of the most popular recent blog posts? This page is getting pretty old, so if it's getting a bit dusty just let me know. ;)