The Bottomless Lake song (opens in a new tab)
The Bottomless Lake song may have been new to the Boy Scouts at this Many Point Scout Camp summer camp campfire, but they sang good and loud by the end of it.
The Bloggers
A Scoutmaster's Blog
- Active 2008–2019
- Posts 812
- Words 269,776
Troop 68's Scoutmaster on gear, Philmont, troop life and the MSPP podcast.
A blog's life in posts
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Showing 1–50 of 812 · page 1 of 17. Each title opens the post in a new tab.
2017 Spring Fundraiser (opens in a new tab)
The Scouts of Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68 have begun selling tickets for their 2017 spring fundraiser. The Pancake and Sausage Breakfast will be held at the Melrose American Legion on Sunday, April 30th. As always, it is an all you can eat breakfast. Contact a member of Troop 68 if you need tickets.
Christmas Story Time (opens in a new tab)
Boy Scouts love a good story told around the campfire. I do not mind telling one, or reading one, if the opportunity presents itself. Of course, the Boy Scouts love the scarier tales as they sit in the darkness with only the reddish light of the campfire embers.
The Old Is New Again! (opens in a new tab)
I have been more active with Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68 during the last few months as our new scoutmaster gets comfortable with his new position. I have invited the Patrol Leaders Council to once again hold their meetings at my house which has given me the opportunity to assist in their training and answer…
Temporarily Lost My Site (opens in a new tab)
You may have noticed recently that you were not able to access this blog or the troop's website. The site was offline for a few days to transfer everything to a new server since the old server was having issues.
Photo Discs For All (opens in a new tab)
I bought my first digital camera in 2004 for a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch. It was great! I was able to take many more pictures than I would have with a film camera. It was very easy to share the windows once we returned home.
Parker Scout Camp 75 Years (opens in a new tab)
My good friend Bob recently send me a photo of a new patch available from the council office. The patch celebrates the 75th anniversary of Parker Scout Camp, our council's camp. Of course, I needed one for my collection. He picked one up for me and dropped it off Friday afternoon.
Excited About A Record Book (opens in a new tab)
October 29th was a busy Scouting day for me. It began with the troop's roadside cleanup service project, followed by a trip to the council Scout Shop, and ending with the troop's spaghetti supper fundraiser in the evening. The trip to the Scout Shop was with the new scoutmaster who needed a new uniform.
Complete Angler Award (opens in a new tab)
I was in the local Scout Shop last weekend and saw something new posted near the merit badges. There is an award called the Complete Angler that can be earned by Boy Scouts who love to fish. The requirements seem fairly simple.
Scoutmaster Wanted (opens in a new tab)
Jim announced at the May court of honor that he would be stepping down as the scoutmaster of Troop 68 at the end of August. His son had already turned 18 years old months before and he felt it was time for someone else to take over.
The Last Photo Album? (opens in a new tab)
I have a lot of photo albums. Scouting photo albums, that is. Most of them include pictures of troop meetings, weekend outings, summer camps, and courts of honor. There are also albums of the trips to Philmont Scout Ranch, the High Knoll Trail, and the 2001 National Jamboree.
Lights Out In The Scouting Village (opens in a new tab)
For the last few years I, along with many other Scouters and Scouts, have been buying the Scouting Village collection pieces. Last year my village filled an area larger than two foot by four foot. That was without all the 2015 pieces as part of the display.
An Outing of Bears (opens in a new tab)
The Bears Den of Melrose Cub Scout Pack 68 had fun last weekend. They had their first overnight camping trip. It was held a couple miles south of Melrose in the backyard of one of the families. With a nice big backyard, and hiking trails nearby, it was a good spot for this fun activity.
The Philmont Interview (opens in a new tab)
Seven Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 had a blast at Philmont Scout Ranch this summer. The local newspaper was notified of the trip and decided that an article was in order. At last night's troop meeting we received a visit from Herman, the newspaper reporter.
The Rockwell Wall (opens in a new tab)
Many Boy Scout councils use incentives during their Friends Of Scouting campaigns. During the last several years, our council has used special council strip patches to entice donors to give a little more. Each year's patch features a different point of the Scout Law.
The New Spirit Of Scouting (opens in a new tab)
The Norman Rockwell reprint set I wrote about in the last post is not the only Scouting print set I own. I also have The New Spirit Of Scouting set featuring ten paintings of Joseph Csatari. These prints are also 11″ x 17″ and are great to have as part of my collection.
Scouting Through The Eyes Of… (opens in a new tab)
A long time ago, in a galaxy… Oh wait, Let me start again. Way back in the 1980's, which is prehistory to today's Scouts, a young scoutmaster began collecting Scouting memorabilia. That collection continues to grow to this day, although not as fast as it once did.
Eagle Scout Court of Honor Planning (opens in a new tab)
As a scoutmaster I did not plan any Eagle courts of honor. After all, that was not my job. The Eagle Scout plans his court of honor with the help of his parents. I did give advice and help a bit when asked, but I usually stayed away from the planning.
The Fall Fundraiser (opens in a new tab)
Tonight kicked off the ticket sales for Boy Scout Troop 68's fall fundraiser. The spaghetti supper will be held at the Melrose American Legion on Saturday, October 29th. Serving will be from 5:00 to 8:00 in the evening. The troop usually does pretty well on its meals fundraisers.
Surprising School Night Numbers (opens in a new tab)
As the annual School Night To Join Scouting approached I told the current Cub Scouts that we should try to double the size of our pack, which is currently at 17 members. I explained that they are our best recruiters and that they should talk to their friends and bring them to the event.
Jamboree Gateway Signatures (opens in a new tab)
2001 National Jamboree Gateway In 2001, I served as the scoutmaster for Troop 1417 of the Central Minnesota Council for the National Jamboree, which was held at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. I had a great time. I also had great assistant scoutmasters, great junior leadership, and great Scouts.
Ten Years of the Beagle Scout (opens in a new tab)
I happen to be doing some cleaning today in the basement family room. When I opened the cabinet to put away the latest Hallmark Snoopy Scout ornament I decided instead to take them all out for a picture. I now have ten years of the Beagle Scout Snoopy ornaments.
Snoopy's Beagle Scouts Play Set (opens in a new tab)
I am always keeping an eye out for Beagle Scout Snoopy items. I just like the combination of Scouting and Peanuts, I guess. After writing the last article I decided to have a quick look on eBay to see what other Beagle Scout Snoopy items were being offered for sale.
Hallmark Snoopy: White Water Rafting (opens in a new tab)
It is that time of year again. Hallmark stores have started selling the 2016 Christmas ornaments. And yes, once again, there is a Snoopy the Beagle Scout ornament for us involved in Scouting to enjoy. This month's ornament features Scout Leader Snoopy and three of his "Scouts" as they head out on a white water…
School Open House (opens in a new tab)
School Night To Join Scouting will be held throughout Minnesota on Thursday, September 22nd. This year's theme is "Heroes Start Here", which nicely fits in with the current wave of superhero movies and television shows. I have to say, I like this theme better the the Rocket Into Scouting used over the last few years.
The New Troop Tee Shirts (opens in a new tab)
The new troop tee shirts have arrived! After a few months of discussing logo designs, and type and color of shirt, the order of the new shirts has arrived. The troop ordered 80 shirts, all adults sizes from medium to extra large, in case a few adults would like to purchase one.
July Cub Scout Fun (opens in a new tab)
This is my second summer as the cubmaster of Pack 68. I have had a good time and have agreed to a third year in the position. The pack does not have meetings during the summer months but we do have a pack activity each month.
Kayaking Fun (opens in a new tab)
I have heard from several people how fun kayaking can be, but I never really tried it. Well, not until earlier this month. My sister and her son invited me along on a kayak trip down the Sauk River, which runs through Melrose, Minnesota.
A Million Miracles (opens in a new tab)
Seven Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 recently participated in a trek at Philmont Scout Ranch. I was there to see them off when they left and wished them a good trip. After I returned home I was in a Philmont mood and noticed I had an email from the Tooth of Time Traders website…
Beagle Scout Patrol (opens in a new tab)
I partook in Wood Badge training way back in 1990. From what I hear, the current Wood Badge course is a little different than the one I attended. I did not plan to go to a course that year until another Scout leader decided to give me a kick by registering me.
The Original Philmont DVD (opens in a new tab)
Now that the Scouts of Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68 have left on their trip to Philmont Scouts Ranch I have been thinking about my trips to the ranch, and the DVD I have in my collection known as The Philmont Documentary Collection.
Unrolled! (opens in a new tab)
Remember my last post? I went shopping at the local Scout Shop and bought several closeout items, some for actual use, and some for the collection. I left one item out of that article, the one that was rolled up in the tube.
Trip To The Scout Shop (opens in a new tab)
There are some days you just should not go to the local Scout Shop. If you want to save your money, that is. But than, you have to go if you want to get the closeout items, don't you? Remember the Christmas in July Sale?
Scouting Village Pieces (opens in a new tab)
If you have been reading this blog for a few years you realize that I have been collecting the BSA Scouting Village pieces as they come out each year. After writing yesterday's article about the Christmas In July Sale, I thought I would check if the 2016 pieces were listed online.
The Philmont Trip Begins (opens in a new tab)
The crew is on the way! The Scouts and advisors of Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68 left for their trip to Philmont Scout Ranch last night. Everyone seemed to be excited for the trip. They will have a great time.
Christmas in July at the Scout Shop (opens in a new tab)
There was an email last week from the Boy Scouts of America Online Catalog. They had a sale going on. It was the Christmas in July Sale! Well, that is what they were calling it. It was actually a closeout sale.
High Adventure Or Bust! (opens in a new tab)
Today is the day that seven Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68, along with two adults, head out for the trip of a lifetime. They are going to Philmont Scout Ranch for a ten day backpacking trek in the backcountry of one of Scouting's favorite locations.
Summer Camp Review 2016 (opens in a new tab)
The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 have completed their weeklong summer camp for the year. Once again, the troop went to Many Point Scout Camp which is located northwest of Park Rapids in Minnesota. Only four Scouts of the troop attended camp because the older boys will be going on a high adventure trip…
Ten Years of "A Scoutmaster's Blog" (opens in a new tab)
Wow. I just realized I missed the anniversary of this blog. It is hard to believe all the years that I have been sharing my thoughts, activities, and special events with you through this site known as A Scoutmaster's Blog .
The Melrose Disc Golf Course (opens in a new tab)
A year and a half ago I wrote a couple of articles about how the Melrose Boy Scout Troop had inspired the Melrose city officials to think about having a nine basket disc golf course installed in the main city park.
Parade Flags 2016 (opens in a new tab)
This year marked the eighth year that the Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 have handed out 4″ x 6″ United States flags before the Riverfest parade in Melrose. Once again the Scouts walked along the parade route and gave away 1250 flags, curtesy of the Melrose American Legion.
The Last Roundtable (opens in a new tab)
The District Roundtable. That once a month training meeting for all Scout Leaders. They are a good meetings for all Scouters to attend, filled with lots of ideas and knowledge, but in reality only a small percentage of Scouters attend them.
Book Stand For Scouting Display (opens in a new tab)
I have been on the Melrose Area History Museum board of directors for a little over a year now. I have been finding it to be interesting. I have a feeling that if I am still on the board when I am old enough to retire from work I may spend quite a bit of…
Cub Scouts and Comic Books (opens in a new tab)
I have just finished my second year as the cubmaster for Melrose Pack 68. It was fun and I enjoyed it. The Cubs have such a different view of life then Boy Scouts. I am still getting used to working with them.
The Bridge (opens in a new tab)
I am constantly amazed by Cub Scouts and the way they look at life. I love the way everything seems to bring a sense of wonderment and excitement to them. The are full of energy and fun, always looking for a good time.
Cub Scout Drape (opens in a new tab)
As I stated in the last post to A Scoutmaster's Blog, Boy Scout Troop 68 owns a Boy Scout drape that it has used for many years. When I became the Pack 68 cubmaster I noticed very quickly that the pack did not own a flag or anything decorative for its pack meetings.
A Colorful Drape (opens in a new tab)
Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68 has been using the Boy Scout decorative drape for many years, decades even, at its court of honors and special functions. It adds a nice bit of color to the ceremony and makes things look a bit more official.
Lions Volunteer Dinner 2016 (opens in a new tab)
The Melrose Lions Club holds a special dinner every year to recognize volunteers in the community. This year's dinner was held on the evening of April 27th at the Melrose American Legion. Over 100 people from nearly a dozen volunteer organizations were represented, which included the local food shelf, Project Give-A-Gift, Meals On Wheels, the…
Melrose Museum Scouting Display (opens in a new tab)
I am not sure how many small town communities have their own museum of local history, but I am happy to say the Melrose has one. The Melrose Area Museum is located in the old St. Mary's convent building, found near St.
My Eagle Project Update (opens in a new tab)
If you were reading this blog last December, you probably read the article I wrote about my "Eagle Project". It is not an Eagle project in the normal use of the term. I am too old to be working on my Eagle Scout requirements, after all.