Following the Line
Think about it. It is truly amazing. We spend a lot of our lives in line or lanes. We wait in line at the bank. We wait with our shopping cart at the store. We drive in lanes, sometimes one wide, sometimes two wide.
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A Scoutmaster's Blog
- Active 2008–2019
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MSPP #76: A Century Of Values Mural Presentation
The Central Minnesota Council, BSA, held an open house on Wednesday, September 2, 2009, to kick off a year of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Hundreds of people attended. There were plenty of games for the kids, a dinner provided by the Jamboree troops, and several displays showcasing the history…
Scout Trivia: Outdoor Skills 2
It is that time once again . Time for another ten questions from the Scout Mania trivia book. The theme this time is "Outdoor Skills". Keep in mind, these questions are based on the 1984 Boy Scouts of America Scout Handbook, not the current handbook.
Flickr Scouting Groups (opens in a new tab)
Now that I have been playing around with my Flickr account and adding pictures to the site (over 1400 so far), I thought I would share a few of the Flickr groups that are dedicated to sharing pictures of Scouting taken in the United States and around the world.
MSPP #75: The Century Of Values RV (opens in a new tab)
The Central Minnesota Council, BSA had some very special guests pay a visit on Wednesday, September 2, 2009. Ed Basar, Gordon Draper, David Berger, Don Cimo, William D'Hondt, Kenneth Mills, Ken Norin , members of Team 9 of the "A Century Of Values" RV Road Tour, had arrived in town for the council's 100 Years Of…
Movie Review - Mister Scoutmaster (opens in a new tab)
There have not been many feature films about Scouting made during the decades. Most people involved with Scouting have heard of a little film by Walt Disney called Follow Me Boys , but I bet most people would be hard pressed to name another five movies that include Scouting as a major part of the plot.
BSA 100th Anniversary Video (opens in a new tab)
The Boy Scouts of America is nearly 100 years old. This is a video placed on Youtube that covers the reasons why Scouting is so important and why we should continue to support it during the next 100 years. Subscribe to "A Scoutmaster's Blog" at http://www.blogger.com/feeds/28330606/posts/default
Philmont, Harlan, and Burro Racing
I am missing Philmont and starting to think it is time to go back to Scouting's paradise. Here is a short excerpt from my 1992 Philmont journal: Harlan Camp is a welcome site. My right foot has just joined the left in protest.
The Miller Castle (opens in a new tab)
The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 recently spent a weekend at Parker Scout Reservation, the Central Minnesota Council's camp. One of the highlights of the weekend was a tour of the newest building on the site, the Miller Castle.
Uniforms In School (opens in a new tab)
I was the only guy in my high school (grades 10-12) who was an active Boy Scout. When I was in the tenth grade my scoutmaster told the members of our troop that we should wear our Boy Scout uniforms to school on February 8 for the Boy Scouts of America anniversary.
TINOA Scouts (opens in a new tab)
I was a scoutmaster for several years when I noticed that we had a number of Boy Scouts who would go along on many of the outings, but would not show up regularly for troop meetings, and would not take the time to earn their advancement.
Woodbadge Photos (opens in a new tab)
I took the Boy Scouts of America's Woodbadge training course for adult leaders in 1988. I was a member of the Bobwhite Patrol. I was the patrol's historian so I took a lot of pictures over the three weekends. I finally found time to scan my Woodbadge photographs this summer.
MSPP #74: Doctor! Doctor! (opens in a new tab)
It is time to get back to fun with the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast. After all, the last two postings were a bit more on the serious side. This episode features the Boy Scouts of Troop 68 during their 2002 Laughs For Lunch Show.
Memories Of The 1981: The Slideshow (opens in a new tab)
I am still having fun with my Flickr account. Travel back in time and watch this slide show of Boy Scout Troop 68 pictures from 1981. If you wish to see the pictures individually check out the photo gallery at http://www.flickr.com/photos/8515713@N06/sets/72157622054953898/ Enjoy. Subscribe to "A Scoutmaster's Blog" at http://www.blogger.com/feeds/28330606/posts/default
Rocket To Scouting
Bob, our Scenic District Executive, told me that he would be in town on Thursday for the school's Health and Wellness Fair. He had reserved a table during the three hour event to promote Scouting, which was a good idea.
Reality Check
If you are or have been a scoutmaster you may have had young boys in your troop that really look up to you. Everything you say is truth. Everything you do is amazing. You are their "Scouting Idol". They will follow you everywhere, do whatever you tell them.
Around The Scouting Campfire #9 (opens in a new tab)
Has your troop, patrol, or den ever had to develop a new skit or patrol for a campfire program? The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 created several new ones over the decades, mainly in the 1980's and 1990's. The Scouts would take a song, chance the words a bit (or a lot), add some…
The Troop's New Program
The Patrol Leader Council planned it. The committee approved it. The parents and troop members were told about it, and liked it. The Boy Scout Troop 68 program for 2009-2010 is now official. The theme for September is campsite safety, with Totin Chip and fire safety being the key points.
What A Wonderful World, The BSA Way
I recently saw this video posted at the Scouting News blog and felt I had to share it with all of you. According to the Youtube site: D oug "Satchmo" Stone performs his unique Boy Scouts themed take on Louis Armstrong's classic "What a Wonderful World."
Ambitious Eagle Project (opens in a new tab)
The Eagle Project is one of the biggest challenges to attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. For many Scouts it is probably the first time they have ever had to plan, prepare, and conduct such an activity.
MSPP #73: Flag Disposal Ceremony
In the previous post to A Scoutmaster's Blog , I wrote about the local American Legion's C eremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags, and the Boy Scouts' participation in the ceremony. Mel-TV, our local community television access station, was on hand to film the event.
Flag Disposal Ceremony (opens in a new tab)
The Melrose Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were recently invited to participate in a United Sates flag disposal ceremony by the local American Legion. Three of our six Boy Scouts were able to attend, along with one of the Girl Scouts.
Memories Of The 1970's: The Slideshow
I recently scanned the pictures I have as a Boy Scout of Melrose Troop 68 in the 1970's. Then I uploaded them to my Flickr account so that I could make a slideshow to share with you. The pictures are of Scout Sunday in 1975, my photo story for the photography merit badge that I…
A Century Of Values Tour
The Century Of Values Tour comes to the Central Minnesota Council today. If you have not heard about this you really should check out their website at http://www.acenturyofvalues.org/ I have been waiting for months for the RV and mural to arrive in our council.
Ten Reasons To Be A Leader (opens in a new tab)
Three years ago I wrote a blog post that became one of the most read posts I have ever written. It was during the time when many packs and troops were conducting recruitment drives and school nights. The article listed some reasons on why a parent should get involved as a leader in Scouting.
Memories of 1980: The Slideshow (opens in a new tab)
You may have read about my 1980 experiences in Boy Scout Troop 68 in previous blog postings. Today I present the pictures taken during that year. So sit back, chuckle a bit, and enjoy the show. Subscribe to "A Scoutmaster's Blog" at http://www.blogger.com/feeds/28330606/posts/default
The Tents of Troop 68 (opens in a new tab)
The current incarnation of Boy Scout Troop 68 began in December 1979, nearly thirty years ago. The troop had virtually no money and only a small amount of gear that had been salvaged from previous troops. The charter organization was not able to, or chose not to, give much financial assistance to the fledgling troop.
MSPP #72: The Leaders of Scouting (Gerry W.)
Twenty years ago the volunteers at Mel-TV, our local cable access television station, filmed a program in which five men who were Boy Scout leaders were interviewed about their Scouting experiences. I took that old vhs tape and transferred it to a dvd.
Like Tetris? (opens in a new tab)
I discovered a new blog today written by a gentleman who would like to be an Eagle Scout. But like me, he is beyond his teen years. What he has decided to do is to try to fulfill all the requirements from the joining requirements, through Tenderfoot and all the ranks, all the way to…
Scouting For Food Memorandum
The national office of the Boy Scouts of America has encouraged its troops and packs to participate in an annual Scouting For Food drive for nearly twenty years. These drives have helped tens of thousands of people over the years, and have became a necessity to many of the food banks around the country.
Memories Of 1980: Part 2
Boy Scout Troop 68 really did not have a regular meeting place during its first year in 1980, so we would sometimes have our meetings in the clubroom of our sponsor, VFW Post 7050. It worked out fairly well but the boys could not play any rough and tumble games there.
1986 Philmont Pictures (opens in a new tab)
I recently moved up to a Flickr Pro account so I am playing around with some of the features, one of which is the ability to embed slideshows into blogs and websites. I thought for the first one I would start with the pictures from my first trek to Philmont Scout Ranch with the Boy…
Around The Scouting Campfire #8 (opens in a new tab)
The summer has been busy with Scouting and family activities but I finally felt it was time to add another episode to the Around The Scouting Campfire podcast. The show begins with Buttons arriving home from an overnight camping trip.
Memories Of 1980 (opens in a new tab)
The year of 1980 was the first full year of the newly reformed Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68 which had started up in December of 1979. I joined up with the troop in April as a nineteen year old assistant scoutmaster.
Ten Reasons Scouting Is Good For Life (opens in a new tab)
The Northern Star Council has an interesting website called Scouting: Good For Life . In addition to some local videos and commercials it lists ten reasons that Scouting is good for you life and family. Here is their list: Scouts are Leaders More than two thirds of Scouts say there have been real life situations were…
MSPP #71: The Pickpocket Skit (opens in a new tab)
The Boy Scouts of Melrose would like to provide this (comical) public service announcement video to help you prepare yourself and your family when you are out having fun this summer. The Scouts demonstrate the three levels of pickpockets that you may find when walking the streets or mingling in large crowds: the beginner, the…
Good Scout / Bad Scout (opens in a new tab)
One of the joys of being a scoutmaster is watching the boys grow up and hopefully taking some of the things they learned in Scouting along with them on their life's journey. It is great when former Boy Scouts stop by for a visit and we talk about the fun they had while they were…
Close Call Lightning (opens in a new tab)
In the last article I wrote about the weather during this summer's week-long outing at Many Point Scout Camp, and the Tuesday storm in which lightning hit a tree near the administration building located less then a mile from our campsite.
Summer Camp Weather
A lot comes to mind when I think about spending a week at summer camp. Scoutcraft, beach activities, and friendships are just a few, but there are a lot more. The weather always adds something to the memories of camp.
MSPP #70: The Radio Skit
Have you ever been traveling in your car listening to the radio when you suddenly reach an area in which stations begin overlapping each other's signals? The is the premiss of this skit performed by the Boy Scouts of Troop 68 during their 2006 Laughs For Lunch Show.
A Week At Many Point Scout Camp
It was a nice warm morning on Sunday, July 12, when eight Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 met to spend a week at Many Point Scout Camp which is located north of Park Rapids, Minnesota. Unfortunately, the nice weather would not stay with the Scouts, but did they let that stop them from having…
The Boy Scout Memorial
I remember very we ll when nine members of my Boy Scout troop participated in the 2001 National Jamboree. How could I not remember it? I was the Jamboree troop's scoutmaster. One of my assistant scoutmasters was my Jamboree third assistant scoutmaster.
Around The Scouting Campfire #7
It has been over a month since the last show so Buttons and I thought we better get one posted before you all think that we quit doing them. We have not. In fact, we have outlines for another three shows, and hope to write a few more while we are at summer camp this…
Flags For The Parade
We had discussed it a couple times at committee meetings but I was still a little surprised when the troop finally decided to hand out small United States flags along the parade route in town this year. Our troop had not done anything for a parade for twenty years or more.
Pioneering At Woodbadge
I did my Woodbadge course in the fall of 1988. Yes, that was long before the current "Woodbadge for the 21st Century", but I have a feeling the core training is still pretty much the same. The course was held at Camp Stearns in central Minnesota.
"Scout Camp" Winners
On Wednesday evening, Cubmaster Chris and I did a live recording of The Leaders Campfire podcast. We had never done that before but we had a special reason for doing it. It was time to give away the prizes for the "Scout Camp: The Movie" Twitter contest.
MSPP #69: The Forest of the Yellow Fingers
Everyone loves to hear a story. Especially a story that has a some comedy with a little grossness mixed into it. Add a moral to the story and you have something to tell the Boy Scouts around the campfire. But what if the moral of the story includes a bad pun?
The Drawing Draws Near
There is only a week left to register for the drawing to win dvd's or posters for Scout Camp: The Movie . You do need a Twitter account to enter. Details are found at http://tinyurl.com/kksp3z Subscribe to "A Scoutmaster's Blog" at http://www.blogger.com/feeds/28330606/posts/default
Scout Camp: The Director (opens in a new tab)
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Garrett Batty, the writer and director of the new film Scout Camp: The Movie , during a recording of the Leaders Campfire podcast. Garrett was nice enough to give us an hour and a half of his time.
Father's Day Card
While shopping for a few graduation cards last weekend there was a Father's Day card that caught my eye that I just have to share with you. It features Snoopy, the Beagle Scout, and his trusty troop featuring Woodstock and his pals.