The Bloggers
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Darkness. Close spaces. Underground tunnels. Most people do what they can to avoid these environments. Bill Steele seeks them out in caves around the globe. Instead of claustrophobia, "I have claustromania," laughs Steele, director of BSA's alumni relations and the National Eagle Scout Association.
Who was that slacklining at the Super Bowl? It's Andy Lewis, who got worldwide attention (and a kiss from Madonna) during halftime with his show-stealing performance on a two-inch tightrope. (See the jaw-dropping video below.) "This was not just a show," he says.
For 102 years old, the Boy Scouts of America sure looks good. The nation's top youth-serving organization was born on Feb. 8, 1910 - five score and two years ago today. But despite its age, the BSA remains a vibrant, relevant movement of youth and adults who have a positive impact on the world.
Has Scouting affected anyone in your life? I'll bet it goes beyond just you and your family. It might be your coworker who remembers catching his first fish at Boy Scout summer camp. Or your neighbor who has seen Scouts improve her community.
Memo to NBC: You didn't need to run all those ads for The Voice during yesterday's Super Bowl. To get me to tune in, you could've just said this: An Eagle Scout is among the hopefuls. Now that we have someone to root for, my wife and I plan to watch every episode of the…
Math was never my strong suit - that's exactly why I got into this business of words. So when I see numbers presented in an easy-to-digest format, I take notice. Case in point: These cool, new infographics that offer a glimpse into the BSA's four high-adventure bases.
Are you ready to hike in the New Year? Bring your footwear up to speed with a pair of durable KEEN hiking boots. Click here to enter the HIT THE TRAIL GIVEAWAY daily to win. As Scouters, we know you often put the needs of your Scouts before your own-whether it's a new pair of…
Hungry after a long day of hiking, paddling, or snowshoeing with your Scouts? Three little words can save the day: "Just add water." The beauty of freeze-dried meals comes in their simplicity: Boil water, add mix, and you're done. But - speaking from experience here - ease of use often comes by sacrificing taste.
The most rewarding part of my journey toward Eagle? Walking across the wooden deck that my fellow Scouts and I built at The Heard Natural Science Museum in McKinney, Tex. My Eagle Scout Service Project was hardly a unique idea - the majority of Eagle projects are construction-based - but it had one key element: It meant…
Hot news: Welding merit badge is almost here! As I told you in November , the BSA turned to the American Welding Society to help create a new merit badge that will teach Scouts about a real-world field where demand for workers exceeds supply.
No shock that Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, is making headlines again. But what may surprise you is why: She just joined the global Scouting movement as a volunteer with the U.K. Scout Association . The "other" Scouting magazine, which serves 400,000 boys and girls involved with Scouting in the U.K., features Kate in a cover…
What were the hottest merit badges last year? I've got the answer. Maybe. So first, a caveat: The friendly folks at the Supply Division tell me there's no way to determine exact numbers of merit badges earned. That info is tracked by troops - not the National Council.
The next big thing: Will one of your Scouts invent it? Encourage that future Ford, Fulton, or Bell to enter the Boy Scouts of America and Edison Nation Challenge, where creative thinkers could get help turning their ideas into products.
Idiot! Retard! Geek! Has a Scout in your unit called another Scout one of these names-or worse? If so, did you take action? No Name-Calling Week begins today, so it's an excellent time to remind Scouts and Scouters that these "harmless" insults can do real damage to a boy or girl.
Know an Eagle Scout headed to college? Then read on: Tuesday, Jan. 31, is the deadline for Eagle Scouts who are high school seniors to apply for a 2012 National Eagle Scout Association scholarship . In all, 153 scholarships, each between $1,000 and $50,000, will be presented to worthy Eagle Scouts based on their Scouting record…
In a test of outdoors skills, who would win: Boy Scouts or adults who are out of Scouting? Though the answer seems obvious, it'll sure be fun to see those adults try. That's the promise behind the newest reality show, Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?
Here's a question to chew on: Should you serve snacks at den meetings? Why or why not? And if you do, what is served? I posed that question to our Facebook friends and got an array of answers. Read a few of my favorites below, and then sound off with your own thoughts on the…
What's the greatest story never told? Yours. Specifically, your trail to Eagle and the ways it changed your life - both during and after. Whether you earned Scouting's top honor six days or six decades ago, your tale is worth sharing.
Here's a Pinewood Derby car so cool you can almost taste it. It belongs to 10-year-old Madisson Garcia, who entered her "Bottle of Coca-Cola" car at Saturday's Pack 316 Pinewood Derby in Old Bridge, N.J. Madisson competed in the "sisters" division and finished sixth in the traditional downhill race.
Teamwork. As important in Scouting as it is in Major League Soccer. And both organizations strive to Be Prepared for the future. Not a stretch, then, to understand why Scouting and the nation's top professional soccer league announced today they're on the same team.
How far would you go to inspire your Scouts? One assistant Scoutmaster had a specific distance in mind: 140.6 miles. That's the distance of an Ironman triathlon - 2.4 miles swimming, 112 miles biking, and 26.2 miles running. All that effort, says Mark Williams of Troop 16 in Parker, Colo., shows his Scouts what training and…
I can think of hundreds of reasons for you to visit the location pictured here and found on Page 46 of our November-December 2011 issue . There's the 300-foot redwoods, the massive limekilns, the cute otters diving into the sea, the banana slugs, the picturesque trails… There's also this: It's the mystery location for our Where…
What does Scouting look like? For decades, that question was best answered by Norman Rockwell. His paintings shaped the BSA's image in America for more than 60 years, and his art continues to paint a picture of Scouting's history to this day.
Dr. Terry Grove got his first Eagle Scout Award medal in 1956. It wouldn't be his last. Ever since, he's been fascinated by the ever-changing design of Eagle Scout medals, patches, hat pins, and other artifacts. And now, the Central Florida Scouter has amassed the largest collection of Eagle Scout Award medals in the world.
Here's a New Year's resolution you'll want to keep: Be a better Scouter next year. I should point out that you're already pretty great. Like in business, a big part of being a successful Scouting volunteer is simply showing up.
Thinking of ringing in the New Year by setting off some fireworks with your Boy Scout troop or Venturing crew? Think again. Unless you and your Scouts are watching a show conducted by a "certified or licensed fireworks control expert," these dangerous explosives have no place in Scouting.
Did Santa forget to put a warm jacket under your tree? Don't worry; we've got you covered. Enter today to win a Columbia Bugaboo Tech Parka-a $300 value! One lucky Scouting magazine reader will win the COLD COMFORT GIVEAWAY featuring this classic parka that's perfect for camping, snowshoeing, skiing, or just enjoying the outdoors with…
The race is on. This morning, the IZOD IndyCar series announced its 2012 race schedule, a 15-race slate that will take drivers to China, Brazil, Canada, and - of course - all across the United States. In all, 11 races are scheduled in the U.S., meaning 11 chances to see Dale Coyne Racing's No.
Naughty or nice? If you're a Scouter, I'll bet you've been nice (and Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, etc.) all year. After all, the BSA wouldn't exist without the selflessness of adult volunteers like you. Surely Santa plans to reward you. But with what?
Combine Scouting with comfort food, and what do you get? In Troop 36′s case, you get a Good Turn. Scouts and Scouters from this California unit heard about people in need 1,200 miles away and decided to help. It all started a few months ago when First Class Scout Gianluca Allesina of Irvine Ranch, Calif.…
When the weather is frigid, few campfire creations hit the spot quite like chili. Add a side of cornbread-or keep it simple with corn chips-and you've got a meal that will please a large crowd. Take a page from our own recipe books-the recipes below are favorites around the Scouting magazine offices.
Let's face it. You won't be the first on Mars, the first to summit a mountain, or probably even the first in line for the next new iPhone. But serving on the inaugural jamboree staff at the Summit? Yeah, there's still time for that history-making first.
No Scouts for you until you start behaving, mister!" Come on, nobody says that, right? Wrong. Here's proof: I am a den leader in a pack, and parents use coming to Scouts as a reward. If Scouts misbehave, their punishment is they can't come to Scout meetings.
Get out your cellphone, and look at the last text message you received. Read it aloud. Then consider whether that text message is so important that you'd risk getting into a car accident to read it. Would you put your life on the line to tap out a response?
The Grinch is alive and well and living in St. Louis. Or at least a reasonable facsimile. Check her out - that's right, her - in this video surveillance footage from local TV station KTVI-Fox2. In 2009, this woman stole one Christmas tree from Boy Scout Troop 374 .
Can a single click of your mouse change lives? Yep. That's all it takes to help Connecticut Crew 63 and Troop 63 assist impoverished American Indians in South Dakota. Unemployment on the Cheyenne River Reservation is 95 percent, per capita income is just over $9,000, and families there lack basic necessities like warm clothes for…
Want to spark some passion in your Scouts? Tell them about Welding, the next new merit badge from the Boy Scouts of America. When it debuts in the next month or two, it will become the BSA's 128th current merit badge, joining fellow newcomer Chess , which made its move onto the list during the summer.
Republican? Democrat? Forget it. I've got an election we can all agree on. Vote for Philmont's Tooth of Time Traders in the SNEWS Outdoor Retailer of the Year awards. The five-step process just takes a minute, so click here to get started.
Many young men and women have their first experience firing a rifle or shotgun in the Boy Scouts of America. But earning these two merit badges is only the beginning. The BSA's partnership with the National Rifle Association has extended into national jamborees, weekend activities, and countless summer camps.
Wanna get your hands dirty at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree? Pitch in and serve on staff. There are plenty of cool jobs available to help pull off what's sure to be a memorable jamboree experience at the new Summit Bechtel Family Scout Reserve in West Virginia.
How does it feel getting a shout out from Taylor Swift? Ask Eagle Scout James O'Dwyer, whose relief program in Alabama to provide aid to tornado victims caught Swift's eye. The singer, who has donated millions of dollars and hundreds of hours to disaster relief, nominated O'Dwyer to receive a TeenNick HALO Award , given to…
Ever wish you could see the future? Now you can. You're looking at next year's slick, new National Recruitment Campaign - in your hands a full two months early. In the past, marketing materials were released after the first of the year.
Point your camera in any direction while exploring Philmont, and you're bound to get an image worth keeping. Natural beauty envelops you there. But hand your camera to a trained photographer, and the resulting images beg to be framed and prominently placed on your living room walls.
Overflowing, pouring in, spilling over. Good words for the waterfall pictured here, our September-October 2011 Where Am I? mystery location. A fitting description, too, for the gush of guesses that filled our physical and virtual mailboxes over the past two months.
Besides lifelong memories, camps across the U.S. boast incredible activities that keep Scouts coming back for more, year after year. Every camp offers unique experiences. But with more than 400 Scout camps to choose from, how can you select a stand-out destination and one-of-a-kind program suitable to your Scouts' interests?
Think you can spot a fake? Fake patches and other phony Scouting memorabilia, that is. These items are Scouting's currency. You collect them, trade them, and pass them on to your children and grandchildren. And like any currency, people looking to make a quick buck from unsuspecting victims will produce counterfeit and unauthorized versions of…
Thomas R. Norris is a Vietnam War hero and a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. He served two decades as a special agent with the FBI. And, perhaps not surprisingly, he's an Eagle Scout. So, yeah, calling him "extraordinary" is no exaggeration.
Popcorn sales help fund Scouting activities, but this salty treat can also bring cheer to service men and women overseas. Popcorn buyers can do both-support the troops and Scouting-by participating in a Trail's End military donation. This service act can be completed in two ways: When Scouts sell popcorn, simply ask buyers if they wish…
To keep myself physically strong ”¦ It's right there in the Scout Oath, but chances are you or someone in your pack, troop, team, or crew needs a little reminder. I've got just the thing: The SCOUTStrong Presidential Active Lifestyle Award Challenge.
What would we do without forests? There'd be no place to hang our bear bags. No place to stop for shade while backpacking. No place to take great fall photos? And no paper to print Eagle Scout Court of Honor programs, merit badge pamphlets, and, well, Scouting magazine.
