The Bloggers
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As we kick off another year in Scouting, my PLC spent some time last weekend setting goals for our Troop using the framework of JTE. If you're unfamiliar with this program or why you should be using it, read this post first .
Here is our troop’s year round camping summary for 2013: 1) Jan – Winter camping at Fivemile Pass 2) Feb – Ice fishing/winter camping on Rockport Reservoir 3) Apr – CANCELLED due to no planning/facilitation by PLC 4) May – 4th annual Backpack outing to Rudy’s Flat 5) Jun – Summer Scout Camp at Bear Lake Aquatics Base (#2) 6)…
These are fun! A simple string of LED lights, white or colored, powered by three AA batteries…a great gift idea for Scouts of any age! I bought a set of lights called Twinklers back in 2005 from INKLING Lights. While that company doesn't produce these any more, Eagle's Nest Outfitters came out with a version…
Tis the season again for holiday shopping and gift giving to the Scouters in our lives. If the person you're thinking of already has everything previously mentioned in my Gear Guide category , then I have a few more ideas starting one of these flashlights from Goal Zero!
Well, I just finished my second staff assignment on a Wood Badge course this past weekend. While I liked being a Scribe on my first staff experience , I really enjoyed interacting with the participants as a Troop Guide over the Bear Patrol this time.
I have taken scouts to Diamond Fork Hot Springs on two different occasions and have somewhat mixed feelings about this destination. Let’s start with what I like. This is a great hike for new scouts or young inexperienced backpackers. The trail is not tough at all with only a slight elevation gain (650′ in 2…
While we're on the subject of Rank Advancement for 11 year old scouts (or a new Scout patrol), take a look at these video clips to help you get though the early rank requirements: Notice in the lower left corner of that page, these can also be downloaded as Podcasts!
Over the weekend, I taught my first Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training course. I think the class went well but kinda felt bad for all the brand new 11-year-old scout leaders who would have benefited from more info specific to their group.
Over the weekend, I taught my first Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training course. I think the class went well but kinda felt bad for all the brand new 11-year-old scout leaders who would have benefited from more info specific to their group.
This is a destination that has been on our list for a long time. It is also one of those places that we’ve heard so much about from other Scout troops over the years but just never pushed it to the top of our list…until now.
Check it out! When we did our Messengers of Peace day of service as part of the Jambo experience, a local reported was covering this story about out troop… Utah troop takes on projects in Athens By TOM BONE, Bluefield Daily Telegraph ATHENS — Block after block, 36 Boy Scouts from Utah scraped weeds from the…
We are down to only 25 days before our Jamboree plans get put into action! As our troop makes final preparations to pull together the remaining gear needed for this awesome adventure, we have benefited by generous discounts from local businesses and equipment manufacturers in our area.
Scout camp is right around the corner for us… in fact, at the end of this month! We'll be attending week #2 at the Bear Lake Aquatics Base and couldn't be more excited… especially after hearing about the change with the Aviation Merit Badge at BLAB !
I think one of the coolest things about the Bear Lake Aquatics Base is what they offer for the Aviation Merit Badge. In fact, it's one of the reasons we're going to BLAB again this summer. Boys who register for this merit badge get to complete requirement 2 by actually going up in an aircraft!
Our council held a series of round-robin Jamboree training sessions this weekend as we count down the last 50 days before our east coast adventure. We learned a lot about what to expect on this trip including packing requirements, the Do's & Don'ts of patch trading, tips on personal hygiene, travel etiquette, restaurant manners and uniform…
I just finished reading The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide by Andrew Skurka . If you've haven't heard about Andrew yet, he's done some insane mileage by foot. We're talking about backpack trips that are typically in the triple digits or more!
Whether you're a new Scoutmaster or not, Working the Patrol Method – A Scout Leader's Guide To Youth Leadership Training is a MUST-READ for both alike! It's one of those "tools" you wish every Scoutmaster got when he accepted his role in a Unit (including me).
As the weather warms up and lakes begin to thaw, your Troop may be making plans to go fishing in the next few months. Did you know there's a license exemption for youth organizations in Utah? My troop discovered this as they planned an ice fishing outing on Rockport Reservoir back in February.
If your troop is planning an outing to Meadow Hot Springs anytime soon, consider these suggestions for camping in the area that can create a better experience for your scouts. The first year we explored Meadow, Utah, we decided to hit the hot springs on Friday night and the lava tubes on Saturday.
Today marks 100 days before our contingent jumps on a plane to DC! We're gettin' close… You may recall from a previous post that our Council's Jamboree experience will include 10 additional days of visiting historic landmarks and national monuments around our nation's capitol.
I'm not sure if every Cabela's location supports activities for local youth groups, but I know the one in Lehi, Utah does – they offer a scavenger hunt that your Scouts can play inside their store! The boys wander around looking for answers to 20 fun questions about Cabela's, each with a point value to make…
I'm not sure if every Cabela's location supports activities for local youth groups, but I know the one in Lehi, Utah does – they offer a scavenger hunt that your Scouts can play inside their store! The boys wander around looking for answers to 20 fun questions about Cabela's, each with a point value to make…
Set your DVRs to record… the series starts TONIGHT and should be fun to watch! Can you still cut it? Would you be up for the challenge? Now as an adult… Are you tougher than a Boy Scout ??
Wanna see how things are coming along at the site of the 2013 Jamboree? With a little over 100 days to go, check out this bird's eye view of the construction effort at the Summit . Rock climbing Mountain biking Canopy tours Zip lines Challenge courses Shooting sports Archery Skateboard ramps and rails BMX jump track…
I attended the University of Scouting event in our council last month with the intent to learn more about Special Needs Scouting. With an autistic boy in our troop and having no previous direct experience with this disorder, I wanted to know how to make his Scouting experience the best it can be.
Whether you’re a new Scoutmaster or not, Working the Patrol Method – A Scout Leader’s Guide To Youth Leadership Training is a MUST-READ for both alike! It’s one of those “tools” you wish every Scoutmaster got when he accepted his role in a Unit (including me).
If your council offers a University of Scouting adult leader training event, you should go! Seriously… don't hesitate, just get yourself registered. Similar to a Little Philmont event, I think it is well worth the time. I look forward to UoS every year as an opportunity to hear from others about their experiences, ask questions…
Finding a place to go for a winter campout can be a challenge. Especially in our area where many of the mountain roads are closed because of deep Utah powder and trailheads only accessible by snowmobile (or involve avalanche danger too much for 12-13 year olds).
T-minus 200 days 'til our council leaves for Jamboree… WOW, how time flies! It doesn't seem that long ago we were just at 300 days . As we look at what needs to be done between now and July, I thought I'd share the Equipment List my co-leaders have organized over the years.
If you're still looking for something small to give your scouter this Christmas, what about a cool mini LED flashlight? The one I'm thinking about is called a "PICO Zipper Light" by eGear . I got one of these last Christmas in the Adventure Kit that came with my SPOT Satellite Messenger .
If you're still looking for something small to give your scouter this Christmas, what about a cool mini LED flashlight? The one I'm thinking about is called a "PICO Zipper Light" by eGear . One of these came in the Adventure Kit I got with my SPOT Satellite Messenger last Christmas.
Need another gift idea? How about something small that can be given by a younger sibling or used as a stocking stuffer. Take a look at the Stormproof Match Kit by UCO. This kit features a waterproof plastic case, 25 waterproof matches and 3 strikers.
I never thought God would have been taken out of our schools or from public places. But now possibly with the Boy Scouts too?! The UK Scout Association is considering a new oath for atheists. As this interview mentions, I too wonder if BP is rolling in his grave… A "duty to God" has always…
Every Christmas, parents come to me looking for ideas on camping gear to get their scout. I typically look at our Troop's equipment list for scout camp and think about what items they were missing. While a lot of those items have already been covered in the " Gear Guide " category of this blog, there is…
I just finished a fantastic book about the psychology of boys and what's necessary for their healthy growth and development… not so much physically, but mentally and emotionally. It's called Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys by Stephen James and David Thomas.
As the holiday shopping season kicks off with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I hope you take advantage of the Thorlo sock promotion for your scout this Christmas. These wool socks are awesome for winter camping , snow sports or just playing outside in the cold.
One of my twin boys just finished his Eagle project over the weekend and was looking for a way to say Thanks to those who helped with this effort. Coincidentally, I got an email last week from a company who thought my blog readers would be interested in knowing about greeting cards for Eagle Scouts.
I used to be a Staffer, a good old Staffer too, But now I've finished Staffing, I don't know what to do… I just finished my first Wood Badge course as a member of the staff. What a great spirit that is felt during those few days of training.
I attended a Scout luncheon last week where several of my council's prominent officers and executive staff were invited to attend. In the hour and a half they were in the same room with 60+ volunteer scouters, I was pretty disappointed that they didn't do much to mingle with the other guests.
I don't give Friends of Scouting much thought throughout the year. In fact, I don't really ever think about it until the campaign comes around and forces me to wonder what everyone else wonders. The bad news is that I still don't have a clear understanding of how FOS benefits my unit even after another…
If you don't have any traditions in your Scouting unit, establish some! Give the boys something to build stories around. Those stories then spread to younger scouts who get excited and look forward to when it's their turn to experience that tradition.
I never meet Bill Burch personally, but wish I had after watching a few video clips of him recently posted online. He's the kind of Scoutmaster I hope to become someday. Take some time to hear these words of wisdom about changing the lives of boys for the better.
WE DID IT!! Something my boys and I have been working on for five years, we finally finished the Hiking Merit Badge . It started in 2008 when they were 11 with our first 10-miler to Dog Lake from Butler Fork .
Earlier this month, I posted about a backpack outing we did in June to Lake Mary from Brighton . It was on that trip that I wanted to see how to get into this area from the Alta side, up Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Some families may still be trying to decide if Jamboree is something worth spending the money on. Is it really an experience of a lifetime? I will find out for myself next summer. Until then, take a look at what this mom thinks about the value of attending: T-minus 300 days until our council's Jamboree…
I'm not a big fan of short scout outings. You know the kind: drive up on Friday night, eat, sleep, eat and return home by 10am the next morning. Can you accomplish anything in that short a time? Will the boys benefit?
I'm not a big fan of short scout outings. You know the kind: drive up on Friday night, eat, sleep, eat and return home by 10am the next morning. Can you accomplish anything in that short a time? Will the boys benefit?
While we're on the subject of wanting better software solutions from BSA , I have a suggestion or four that I think would make the new online Tour and Activity Plan (TAP) better. Let me start by saying how much I like the electronic version of this Tour Plan!
I was thinking about BSA's software solutions the other day after renewing my Youth Protection and found myself asking again the same question that is always on my mind: WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET BETTER TOOLS TO HELP ADMINISTER THIS PROGRAM??
I was thinking about BSA's software solutions the other day after renewing my Youth Protection and found myself asking again the same question that is always on my mind: WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET BETTER TOOLS TO HELP ADMINISTER THIS PROGRAM??
