The Bloggers
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As leaders in the Scouting program, we sometimes think that we have the ultimate authority in how our troop runs. But do we? Yes, we are responsible for ensuring that things are done safely, and that the Scouting program is …
Spring is finally here, at least in the north, and we're finally getting outdoors (without heavy winter gear) enjoying some warmer weather. School may be winding down or ramping up for the final push. Many troops undergo a shift in …
No, parents are not being pushed out of Scouting. They are as essential as ever from Cubs all the way up to Venturing. What's being changed is the ScoutParent designation, a pseudo-registered position that's been with us for several years …
Just about all of us Scouters are also parents. As parents, we want the best for our kids, and some parents go a bit out of bounds to make sure they get the best and do their best – even …
When did you become a leader? Was it when someone anointed you the head of something and you took charge? Did you volunteer for a job in your unit? Did everyone else take a step backward when Sarge called for …
Ever since the mid-1960s, the television game show Jeopardy! has been a must-see program for millions of viewers nationwide. Since the beginning, contestants from all walks of life competed for cash prizes, some walking away with hundreds of thousands of dollars. Two …
Starting this month, I'm beginning a series of monthly articles based on a portion of my class at University of Scouting this year. Besides talking about issues that committee chairs typically encounter, I handed out and we discussed a suggested …
As the Christian world approaches Easter, the scriptures that are read center more and more on Jesus in his final days, as he traveled and taught, working closely with his disciples and followers. A favorite reading at this time of …
Ask most people what they know about Boy Scouting, and the most frequent responses you'll get are either "Are they still around"? or they'll cite the negative attention BSA has been getting lately about its policies and past practices. Ask …
Years ago, AT&T, parent of the Bell Telephone companies, ran an advertising campaign which encouraged people to use their long-distance services to keep in contact with friends. The "Reach Out and Touch Someone" series of ads had everyone singing along …
Did you know much about leadership before becoming a Scout leader? Perhaps you did, if you were a Scout as a youth, or you were a class officer, team captain, or president of your JA company. In the work world, …
Cub Scout leaders are among the most committed of our adult leadership. They way overspend their "one hour a week" planning and conducting weekly den meetings and field trips, planning pack meeting participation, scheduling meeting rooms, sending out newsletters, wrangling …
As this article is being written, we are in the midst of National Signing Day, the day on which the talented and sought-after high school football players announce their intentions on which college to attend and continue not only their …
We've all heard the term "helicopter parents." It seems to be the parenting affliction for the 21st century. These are parents who want their children to succeed so much that they involve themselves in their children's lives to the point …
Most troops seem to operate under a more or less faithful version of Baden-Powell's patrol method, where the boys are in charge of their troop, plan and conduct the meetings and activities, and enjoy their success along with a good …
If you picked up Scouting magazine this month, you undoubtedly read the cover story about the National Geographic Channel's reality-competition series Are You Tougher than a Boy Scout? which airs this spring. It pits current Scouts against adult former Scouts in …
For the past eleven-plus years, the United States military has been engaged in warfare in the mountainous Asian nation of Afghanistan, assisting the Afghan forces in defending against the Taliban. Politics aside, many observers have been looking forward to an …
Every week, the Food Network runs a show called Restaurant Impossible. In the show, chef Robert Irvine makes a whirlwind two-day visit to a failing restaurant to try to determine why it's failing and to take corrective action. His designers fix …
A few weeks ago, our council president addressed the fall meeting of our council leadership. He gave us the usual statistics on membership and how each of us can help with recruiting. He outlined the council property plan, news from …
By now, hopefully you've had a chance to complete your troop's annual Journey to Excellence scorecard and turn it in to your district professional. Generally, these are due by December 31st, in order to qualify for the award and help …
Committing to become a den leader (or other adult leader in Scouting) means not doing it halfway, otherwise the boys don't benefit as much, and the adults don't have as much fun either. Sure, accepting a leadership role is a …
As another year winds down and we look forward to another (assuming the Mayan calendar or a zombie attack doesn't do us all in), we often take a moment to reflect on how things are going. Much of our thinking …
The recent release of the Boy Scouts of America's ineligible volunteer files has made big headlines and big headaches for the mothership. Some of it is bound to trickle down to us as volunteer Scouters, especially as local papers and …
Here are a few final thoughts to conclude our series on leadership for the committee chairman. Don't help Yes, that's right. Don't help! Just as we don't "help" the boys at troop meetings and campouts, we develop leadership in adults …
A young man, well-liked in his school, just months away from graduation, elected as homecoming king by his classmates, takes his own life. Another young man, also popular in high school, another homecoming king – valedictorian, accepted at a prestigious …
Scouting aims to teach leadership to our young people through the methods we use, but it's equally important that our adult volunteers take the opportunity to improve their own leadership skills. Adult leader training courses provide the nuts & bolts …
One of the unique properties of the Boy Scout program is that it is boy-led. It's not a program where adults put together activities that the youth members merely participate in. When properly done, and when adults don't inappropriately usurp …
Scouting has seen a lot of change in the first hundred years, even though the mission and aims have remained the same. Within our units, changes in the program often affect us too. But while the methods and values of …
Say goodbye to the Law of the Pack. By now, you may have heard about the BSA executive board's approval of the resolution to have all programs – Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Venturing and Varsity Scouting – use the Boy …
We've recently discussed some situations you might run into on your troop or pack committee where members have a difference of opinion and you, the committee chair, need to step in and help resolve it. What happens when one or …
In the same way as money in a good investment pays dividends down the road, the Scouting program and our work as volunteers in laying the foundation for the future of our youth produce dividends as well. As I was …
Anytime two or more people come together, there is potential for conflict. This is true of all organizations, including Scouting units. Everyone is likely to have a different idea of how things are supposed to work, and when personalities clash, …
When perfectly-engaged and enthusiastic Cub Scouts just don't make the transition to Boy Scouts, opting for heavier involvement in sports or other activities instead, you have to wonder why. Is it because of something they didn't get out of Scouting? …
Helping your committee succeed goes beyond motivation and instilling confidence. There are a number of actions you should take to move your committee performance forward. These include delegation, empathy, enabling and recognition. Practice effective delegation The committee chair should think …
You may be aware that another revision to the health and medical record form has been announced. The new form, expected to be officially released this month, is intended for use across all BSA programs, from the unit level to …
Beyond agendas, meetings and paperwork, the committee chair's job includes supporting, inspiring and helping your committee members succeed in the jobs you have recruited and selected them for. Continuing in our series aimed at the new committee chair, this article …
Which registered Scouter in your unit is often invisible to your membership but is essential to its success? Here's a hint. This Scouter is also a member of your council committee and has a vote in council affairs. If you …
A recent article aimed at the new committee chair listed a few things that I've found to be helpful when starting the job or any job in Scouting. But what are the actual responsibilities of the committee chair? Hopefully if …
Developing leadership in others is always a challenge, but developing leadership in youth is particularly so. Young people haven't acquired the seasoned reasoning ability that many adult leaders have. As adult leaders in Scouting, we must recognize this and meet …
So you've just stepped into the job of Committee Chair for your pack or troop. Now what? Committee Chair is an important role – indeed, the unit can't function properly without one – but there are ways in which a …
In an earlier article, I gave you some of the BSA‘s tips for trainers from the national website's training page. Here are a few more, dealing this time with the content of your presentations. While much training depends on a …
You know the feeling. It's time for the monthly unit committee meeting, and you dread sitting through a long drawn-out meeting which usually degenerates into an open-ended discussion or retelling of old "war stories." Perhaps you're the committee chair and …
Last year, the BSA's national training team announced it was revising many of the training awards, or "knots," that Scouters earn for service, training and performance in their volunteer roles. Chief among the changes is the revamping of the many …
If you're a trainer. BSA has some excellent resources on the national website, which are updated periodically. Recently they posted some helpful tips for trainers. Following are a few of them, primarily dealing with the mechanics of giving a training …
Where can a boy read, and get inspired, about getting fit, cooking a meal, riding a horse, exploring a cave, identifying trees, leading an expedition, gazing at the stars, catching a fish, and saving a life? If you've guessed the …
A lot of us were drawn into Scouting as adults with the assurance that "it's only an hour a week." We'd be hosting a fun activity, we were told, using the published handbooks and planners, so we don't have to …
Big headlines were made last year when allegations of child sexual abuse came forth against former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. The failure to maintain accountability when faced with the allegations led to the dismissal of the …
In the stake bucket, on the trailer." What's wrong with this transaction? Here's a clue. A Scout, most likely a new recruit, setting up his tent with his bunk partner, asks an adult where the tent stakes are. Because a …
Ah, summer. The weather has finally gotten nice all over the country. School is out or almost done for most, and our kids are looking forward to having a couple months off from the daily grind of classes, homework, projects, …
A few weeks ago I discussed the advantages of being a uniformed troop. Following this method of Scouting is important to keep your Scouts looking, feeling and acting like an actual Boy Scout troop and not merely a collection of …
