A Busy March (opens in a new tab)
I like working with the Scouts. I think it is one of the best organizations for a boy or young man to be a member of. That is why I was a scoutmaster for thirty years, and than stayed on as a committee member.
The Bloggers
A Scoutmaster's Blog
- Active 2008–2019
- Posts 812
- Words 269,776
Every post, newest first
Showing 51–100 of 812 · page 2 of 17. Each title opens the post in a new tab.
A Scout Is FOS Thrifty (opens in a new tab)
Several years ago the Central Minnesota Council added a new incentive to the annual Friends Of Scouting (FOS) campaign. If you met a certain donation level you would receive a specially designed council shoulder patch (CSP). Each year would feature a different point of the Scout Law.
Disc Golf: From Cold To Mild (opens in a new tab)
The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 sure like their disc golf. They like it so well that for the last few years they have planned a disc golf outing as part of their yearly program. Central Minnesota has several disc golf courses.
Derby Car Displays (opens in a new tab)
The Cub Scouts of Melrose Pack 68 recently had fun making a project during the March 21st pack meeting. They boys constructed display stands for their Pinewood Derby cars. Each stand is able to display five cars, enough from 1st Grade Tiger Cubs through 5th grade Webelos Scouts.
Oscar Cookies (opens in a new tab)
Did you watch the Academy Awards last night? I watched the first thirty minutes and the last two hours. I thought Chris Rock did a pretty good job as the host. His opening monologue was funny and had a nice bite to it.
2016 Blue and Gold (opens in a new tab)
The Cub Scouts and families of Melrose Pack 68 held their annual Blue and Gold Banquet on Monday, February 15th at the Melrose American Legion. Sixteen of the eighteen Cub Scouts attended the event. I was quite happy with the turnout.
Pinewood Derby Poems (opens in a new tab)
I realize that many packs have completed their Pinewood Derbies, but I recently found this in my archives and thought it would be fun to share it again. Maybe these could be read during your council Pinewood Derby. In December of 2008, Len of Pack 15 sent out a mailing to those of us in…
The Advancement Coordinator (opens in a new tab)
I have recently accepted the position of advancement coordinator for Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68, so I have been checking out the 2013 Committee Guidebook to see what my new responsibilities will be, and how much work I have gotten myself into.
The Opening Song (opens in a new tab)
As a take a break from writing today I thought it would be a good time to introduce to you, or reintroduce to you, a song performed by the Boy Scouts of Troop 68. Years ago the troop would do an annual show they called Laughs For Lunch.
Treasurer vs Advancement (opens in a new tab)
Shortly after I retired as the scoutmaster of Troop 68 a few years ago I became the troop committee treasurer. It did not take me long to realize that I did not care to hold that position. It was not that it took a lot of work.
The New Handbooks (opens in a new tab)
Gosh! I do not know if you have heard or not but the Boy Scouts of America have changed the requirements for the Boy Scout advancement program. Scout is now a rank, which means there are seven ranks instead of six.
The New Year (opens in a new tab)
Wow! Has it really been a month since I last posted an article to this blog? I guess so. I suppose I should should a few articles again. In the meantime, have fun watching this video performed by the Boy Scouts of Troop 68 about a furniture store. Audience participation is required.
Merry Christmas! (opens in a new tab)
This old Scouter would like to wish every Scouting family out there a very Merry Christmas. May you have a great time with your family and friends, and safe journey as you go out to celebrate the holiday.
Scouter Claus and Star Wars (opens in a new tab)
I am currently serving as the cubmaster of Melrose Pack 68. I am into my second year of holding this position. While it was not a position I was looking for when I joined the Cub Scout pack committee, I have been having fun.
Visit To The Movie Theater (opens in a new tab)
Melrose Cub Scout Pack 68 currently has 18 members from Tiger Cubs through Webelos Scouts. The pack committee has been doing a great job of finding things to keep the Scouts interested in Scouting and things that are fun to do.
Cub Scout Food Drive (opens in a new tab)
The committee of Melrose Cub Scout Pack 68 would like to see the Scouts earn the Journey To Excellence patch for 2015 so they have been coming up with service projects for the boys. In June the pack did a cleanup project in the city park, picking up trash along the pond and softball field.
My Eagle Project (opens in a new tab)
Most of the time when you hear of someone talking about their Eagle project they are referring to their project for their Eagle Scout Rank. I am too old for that type of Eagle project. However, my Eagle project does involve work for a local organization.
2015 Scouting Village Flyover (opens in a new tab)
I set up my Scouting Village today and decided to share the flyover video. (It takes a small drone to video this. lol)
The Eagle Scout Roundtable (opens in a new tab)
Once a year the roundtable staff of the Central Minnesota Council, Scenic District, invites the Eagle Board chairman, the district advancement chairman, and other key people to attend a meeting to discuss Eagle Scout projects, workbooks, and board of reviews.
Best Friends Until The End, and Beyond… (opens in a new tab)
In my last post I wrote I mentioned a story I used to end the roundtable meeting. It was about two Boy Scouts who were best of friends and who had made a promise to each other, I promise they kept even after death.
Roundtable Staff: Year 3 (opens in a new tab)
I had received a couple emails this summer from Bob at the council office asking if I would be on the roundtable staff again for the 2015-2016 program year. I really did not feel like being on staff for a third year so I sort of ignored the messages.
The 2014 Scouting Village Set (opens in a new tab)
It is that time of year. Time to think about Christmas! Well, the retail community wants us to think about Christmas and the holidays. After all, they have lots of things they would like to sell us and they seem to think they need the last three (sometimes four) months of the year to convince…
2015 NOAC Patches: Part 4 (opens in a new tab)
To tell the truth, when I wrote about this year's Naguonabe Lodge's National Order of the Arrow patch sets last June and July I thought the three part article would be all there would be to write. Surprise! This last month the lodge came out with its fourth patch set option.
The Troop Website (opens in a new tab)
In some ways it is hard to believe. It was in May 2006 that I began the website for Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68. Over 11 years ago! I spent a lot of time posting to the site. Too much time some months.
Boy Scouts and the Pinewood Derby (opens in a new tab)
(I just found this article on my desk. I guess I forgot to post it. It might be a little late, but what the heck.) Cub Scout Pack 68 of Melrose held its 2015 Pinewood Derby on Sunday, January 25th.
Hallmark Snoopy – The Race Is On! (opens in a new tab)
This year's Scouting themed Snoopy ornament is now on sale at your local Hallmark store. The 2015 piece features Snoopy the Beagle Scout, or scoutmaster, and three of his "Scouts" racing their Pinewood Derby cars. It is nice to see a Cub Scouting themed ornament this year.
MPSC Leader's Video 2015 (opens in a new tab)
This week nine Boy Scouts from Melrose Troop 68 are attending summer camp at Many Point Scout Camp in northern Minnesota. I was there with them from Sunday through Wednesday and I can tell you, they are having a blast, even though the weather could be a little less humid and a little dryer.
2001 National Jamboree Marvel Patch Set (opens in a new tab)
I attended the 2001 National Jamboree as the scoutmaster of Troop 1417. I had a great time. I had a great troop. And I collected quite a few patches from the event. In fact, I still collect patches from the event when I find some for a reasonable trade or cost.
2015 NOAC Patches, Part 3 (opens in a new tab)
You were given a preview of the trader's two patch set in May. Yesterday I wrote a post about the participant's set. But did you know there is one more option available for the Naguonabe Lodge members who will be participating in this year's National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC)?
2015 NOAC Patches, Part 2 (opens in a new tab)
It was over a month ago when I wrote a post about the Naguonabe Lodge's patch design for the 2015 National Order of the Arrow Conference, otherwise known as NOAC. The two patch set also commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow.
Parade Flag Tradition. (opens in a new tab)
When does something become a tradition? If it is done for seven years, does that qualify? If it does, than the Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 have a tradition to be proud of. This was the seventh year that they have handed out 4″x6″ United States flags before the Riverfest parade in town.
2015 NOAC Patches (opens in a new tab)
The Naguonabe Lodge of the Central Minnesota Council began handing out patches to its members that are attending the 2015 National Order of the Arrow Conclave during this weekend's spring conclave. Once again, it will be a two patch set, but unlike previous year's these patches do not match into each other and do not…
Good News Award (opens in a new tab)
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 suspicious, so I gave her a call.
Vitamin N (opens in a new tab)
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 leaders within the troop.
Updated Museum Display (opens in a new tab)
The president of the Melrose Area History Museum and I met at the museum this morning to set up my shelf display and Scouting coffee mugs. We both thought this would be a quick process but the cabinet had other ideas.
Scouting Mug Museum Display (opens in a new tab)
I have collected a lot of Scouting memoribilia during my 35 years as an adult leader in Scouting. I have hundreds of patches, dozens of handbooks, a large tote of 2001 National Jamboree souvenirs, and enough coffee mugs to go over two months without needing to wash one.
The Lions Volunteer Dinner (opens in a new tab)
Every year the Melrose Lions Club invites folks from the various volunteer organizations in town to a special meal to be recognized for all the work they do during the year for the community. This includes members of our volunteer fire and ambulance corps, the food shelf, Project Give A Gift, the history museum, and…
The 2015 FOS Patch (opens in a new tab)
It is that time of year. Units in the Central Minnesota Council are being visited by council representatives for the annual Friends Of Scouting (FOS) campaign. Families are being asked to contribute what they can to the council to assist in providing a quality program for the boys.
Preparing for Blue and Gold Banquet (opens in a new tab)
Monday night will be my first Blue and Gold Banquet as the Cubmaster of Pack 68 in Melrose. And maybe my only one. After all, I would like to see someone else step forward to take over as cubmaster next fall.
2015 Pinewood Derby (opens in a new tab)
Cub Scout Pack 68 held their annual Pinewood Derby on Sunday, January 25th, at the Melrose American Legion. Ten Cub Scouts and their families attended along with friends a several Boy Scouts. Everyone seemed to have a good time. I have been to several derbies through the last few decades, usually as an observer.
Trip To The Police Station (opens in a new tab)
Most people are quite happy to never have to visit a police station. Seeing one on a television show is just fine with them. The Boy Scouts of Troop 68 think a little differently. They were happy to pay a visit to the local station.
2014 Highlights (opens in a new tab)
The Christmas holiday is over and the new year is just a day away. The year of 2014 is coming to an end and like a lot of people I am looking back at its highlights. There are a few that stand out in my Scouting world.
Boy Scouts Assist In Creating Disc Golf Park In Melrose (opens in a new tab)
It is official! The Melrose city council appropriated the funds at last month's meeting, and tonight the Melrose park board has approved the purchase of equipment needed for a nine hole disc golf course to be installed at the Sauk River Park in the spring of 2015.
Cub Scout Journey to Excellence, 2015 (opens in a new tab)
I would like to see Cub Scout Pack 68 earn the 2015 Journey To Excellence (JTE) award because I think we can do it. I made this statement during last night's pack committee meeting, and than reviewed the requirements. By the time I finished I believe the committee was in agreement with me.
2014 Troop Auction Results (opens in a new tab)
Wow! It was a lively troop auction this year. The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 seemed to like the selection of prizes and they were ready to spend their "troop bucks". (See the last post for the explanation of the troop auction and the troop bucks.)
The 2014 Troop Auction (opens in a new tab)
On Monday, December 15th, following the last court of honor for the year, Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68 will hold its annual troop auction.While some troops hold auctions as fundraisers, Troop 68 does things a little differently. Our auction is actually an event for the Boy Scouts to bid on prizes using "troop bucks" they…
Philmont Or Bust! 2016 (opens in a new tab)
It is official! Boy Scout Troop 68 of Melrose is going to Philmont Scout Ranch in the summer of 2016. Our committee chairperson received confirmation of our trek registration last week. Let the planning begin! It has been a decade since the troop went to the ranch.
The Yearly Scouting DVD's (opens in a new tab)
It is that time of year. Time to add Christmas parties to the schedule. Time to get the gift shopping done. And for me, time to create the yearly Boy Scout Troop 68 dvd's for each member of the troop.
Too Many Videos (opens in a new tab)
A long time ago, 1987 actually, I joined the board of directors for our local community access television station, Mel-TV. I was a member of the board for 20 years, many of those as the chairman. I retired from the board a few years before the City of Melrose decided to shut it down and…
MSPP #140: The Climbing Trailer (opens in a new tab)
The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 had a busy one day activity during the month of November. It was a two part outing. The first part was a trip to the St. Cloud State University climbing wall where the Scouts had fun testing their skills on seven different climbs, from easy to quite challenging.