The Bloggers
Showing 251–300 of 3,467 · page 6 of 70. Each title opens the post in a new tab.
Sometimes, a merit badge will spark a future career path for a Scout. For Brian White, it was a leadership outing. White, who earned the Eagle Scout Award with Troop 299 of Dublin, Ohio, in 2004, owns a restaurant in Columbus, Ohio.
From left: Northeast Region Chief Conor Power, Southern Region Chief Seth Greiling, National Vice Chief Noah Smith, National Chief Zachary Schonfeld, Central Region Chief Patrick McInerney and Western Region Chief Gavin Cho Zachary Schonfeld, an Eagle Scout from Virginia, has been elected by his peers to serve as National Chief of the Order of the…
We’re in the middle of registration periods for 2021 adventures at the BSA’s national high-adventure bases, with sign-ups at Sea Base starting this week. While you and your Scouts might have your sights on a specific experience, keep in mind that there’s more than one path to adventure.
This is Unsung Heroes , a Bryan on Scouting blog series celebrating under-reported acts of Scouting heroism. These are stories that don’t make national headlines — but should. That’s doubly true in this world that can always use more good news. Read the latest story below, and find instructions for sharing your own Unsung Heroes story at…
Madison Burrell uses these adjectives to describe her time at the wet and windy West Point Camporee: “tiring, scary, wet, muddy, crusty and painful.” Hardly a ringing endorsement, right? But then read what Madison says next: “I hope I’ll get to make more memories like this.”
You wouldn’t know the cemetery near Thorntown, Ind., was the resting place of nearly 50 African Americans. For a long time, it was a patch of grass, recognized only by a few decrepit stone tombstones and a black-and-white sign. Four years ago, Reece Thompson of Troop 350 in nearby Advance, Ind., decided to do something…
This is Unsung Heroes , a Bryan on Scouting blog series celebrating under-reported acts of Scouting heroism. These are stories that don’t make national headlines — but should. That’s doubly true in this world that can always use more good news. Read the latest story below, and find instructions for sharing your own Unsung Heroes story at…
The Pinewood Derby can seem like a maze of tasks that make up a million-piece, very complicated puzzle, but it is time to simplify things a bit and make this all about fun for everyone. These steps should guarantee that you throw a successful and well-run race day event, whether it’s your pack’s first time…
Bear Grylls collects firewood in Sardinia, Italy. (National Geographic/Jeff Ellingson) It has traveled deep into the jungles of Panama, through slot canyons in Arizona and down a waterfall in Italy. It has shared screen time with celebrities like Brie Larson, Channing Tatum and Zachary Quinto.
A celebration that happens just once every four years. World-class venues packed with incredible moments. A spirit of unity, patriotism and courage. Turns out the National Jamboree and the Summer Olympics share a lot of similarities — with one exception: At a National Jamboree, everyone leaves a winner.
Don’t just experience the National Jamboree. Bring it to life. Applications are now being accepted to serve on staff at the 2021 National Jamboree , coming July 2021 to the BSA’s adventure-packed Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. The first 2,021 people who sign up and pay their deposit to serve on staff, now known as…
To call the adults in Troop 96 carnivores is a bit of an understatement. As in any youth-led troop, the Scouts in Troop 96 of the Northeast Illinois Council are on their own at mealtime. Scouts in each patrol plan the menu, shop for ingredients and prepare the meals.
Let’s give a giant Scout salute to the den chief. When entrusted with enough responsibility, this young person can be a Cub Scout leader’s best friend. A den chief is a Scout, Venturer or Sea Scout who: Helps plan and conduct den meetings.
In September, Ashley Panko looked up from her computer in shock. On TV, a reporter was telling the heartbreaking story of Troop 193 of Duncanville, Texas. The reporter said a thief had stolen Troop 193’s trailer and all the camping gear inside.
The theme of Pack 164’s annual Christmas party hasn’t changed in four years: service before self. Every year, members of the pack from Madison, Miss., gather to assemble care packages for military personnel deployed overseas. The Cub Scouts fill boxes with things like dental floss, gum, foot powder, candy bars, shaving cream, beef jerky and…
Photo by W. Garth Dowling Ryan Davis, VenturingFest 2020 Youth Chairman Ryan Davis is ready to fly right past his comfort zone. Next summer, on the winding and bumpy mountain bike trails at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, you’ll find Ryan zooming downhill at top speed.
Smart, talented and brave. A friend to those in need. Someone who relishes learning new skills. While one group carries hiking sticks and the other lightsabers, I’d argue that Scouts and Jedi have more in common than you might think.
Scouts in girls Troop 606 of Chicago recently reviewed the eight steps of handling an emergency as outlined in the First Aid merit badge pamphlet. As they went over the steps, the girls decided to create a mnemonic device, similar to the one they learned for Leave No Trace principles .
Note: This is the 30th in an occasional series where I share Eagle Scout project before-and-after photos. See the complete collection here and submit your own here . To fully understand the impact Eagle Scout projects have on communities, you need to see to believe.
After crossing over from Pack 82 to Troop 99 in Benton, Ark., Nicholas Burrell was looking forward to many campouts, fishing trips and summer camp adventures. But before he could complete his first year in the older youth program, the 11-year-old went to see a doctor about the intense headaches he began having — and another…
William D. Boyce didn’t start the BSA all by himself. Sure, he was the man who signed the papers to make the Boy Scouts of America official — at exactly 11:03 a.m. on Feb. 8, 1910 . But just like the volunteers who start new BSA units every year, Boyce had plenty of help.
Ten years, more than 40 million page views. Thanks to you, the loyal Bryan on Scouting reader, the 2010s were the best decade yet for the official blog of Scouting magazine. And because the blog launched in March 2009, the 2010s were also the only decade yet for the official blog of Scouting magazine.
Picking the best unit website is a bit like selecting the best recipe for Dutch oven cobbler. There are way too many to choose from, and because it’s all about taste, the selection process is totally subjective. But after browsing hundreds of unit websites, I’ve come up with a list of 10 that do it…
One of my favorite things about the holiday season is the spirit of generosity that never fails to show out in full force. It just seems like the brisk air and long, dark, twinkly nights are synonymous with giving. In true alignment with the season and with the values of Scouting, This year, just like…
Every few years, the BSA updates its Annual Health and Medical Record after consulting with health care professionals, Scout executives, council and camp health officers and other experts to ensure it is up-to-date and helpful. This was one of those years, meaning a new form is available for everyone to use for 2020.
When it comes to the Scout Law, last is certainly not least. Being “reverent” is a year-round part of a Scout’s life, but there’s one time each year when the connection between Scouting and faith takes on even more significance.
Think of it as a drive-thru in reverse. Instead of picking up, say, a chicken sandwich and waffle fries at the drive-thru, a bunch of Los Angeles area drivers left behind canned items for a good cause. The eighth annual Food Drive-Thru , held last month, was staffed by Scouts and Venturers from the Western Los…
When you cycle 1,500 miles, you’re bound to run into a few problems. “I had five flat tires — my tire exploded once,” Star Scout John McBroom says. “I had a couple of crashes.” But that didn’t stop John or Eagle Scout Akhil Long, both 16-year-old Scouts with Troop 4010 of Clarksvillle, Ind., who completed a…
An Eagle Scout project is an extreme act of service. It requires meticulous planning, servant leadership and a professional juggler’s ability to multitask. Most young people wouldn’t embark on such a difficult endeavor. Nicolas Salazar isn’t most young people. The 15-year-old Eagle Scout from Troop 400 of Pace, Fla., part of the Gulf Coast Council…
Decorations pictured from Jennifer Hettinger, Jessica Painter and Rebbecca Jackson ‘Tis the season to deck the halls with tinsel and ornaments. For some Scouting families, that means Scout-themed holiday decor. That means it’s time for Show and Tell , where Scouters show their favorite photos and tell the story behind them.
On a rainy Thursday at the 2017 National Jamboree, a Scout approached me and introduced himself. Jackson Rogers, then 15 years old, wanted to tell me about his seemingly impossible goal. He said he was trying to earn every available merit badge — all 138 a Scout could earn at the time.
The votes are in, and the decision is final. The winner of the most creative Webelos recruiting event is Troop 316 of Valencia, Calif., part of the Western Los Angeles Area Council. Scouts and leaders from Troop 316 devised a clever Survivor- themed competition that tested Scout skills while showing the Webelos what kind of…
We are all about getting thrifty, and that doesn’t change around the holiday season. So, to save you time (thrifty) and money (more thrifty), the Scout Shop put together a little cheat sheet on all of the deals, sales and giveaways that it will be running over the next month-and-half.
Some reacted with surprise. Others were confused, at least at first. One was nearly in tears. But everyone on Mark Logemann’s “Scouting Gratitude Tour” was incredibly thankful to hear the word “thanks.” Logemann, an Eagle Scout who currently serves as Assistant Chief Scout Executive and National Director of Support Services, started his Gratitude Tour two…
One 1995 graduate of Space Camp became a captain in the Italian Air Force, spent 199 consecutive days in space and had a Barbie doll created in her likeness. Another 1995 graduate of Space Camp is writing this blog post.
This is Unsung Heroes , a Bryan on Scouting blog series celebrating under-reported acts of Scouting heroism. These are stories that don’t make national headlines — but should. That’s doubly true in this world that can always use more good news. Read the latest story below, and find instructions for sharing your own Unsung Heroes story at…
Kate Matthews, who authors the Living the Scout Life blog, shares some camping advice from the Scout Shop, the official retailer of the Boy Scouts of America, in this installment of “Scout Shop Tips.” Let’s be honest here: finding the perfect tent can be a bit overwhelming.
Note: This is the 29th in an occasional series where I share Eagle Scout project before-and-after photos. See the complete collection here and submit your own here . To fully understand the impact Eagle Scout projects have on communities, you need to see to believe.
Adam Pieroni, Marc Zamora, William Marcinkowski, Sanjit Shelukar, Evan Meiers, William Bishop, Joel Bjordammen, Keegan McLaughlin, Jeff Cutcher, and Ryan Cleary. Troop 98 of Whitpain Township, Pa., has a strong membership of more than 80 Scouts with several achieving the Eagle Scout rank every year.
Call it aiming high, call it completionism or call it the carefree ambition of youth. Whatever you call this Cub Scout den’s mission to earn all 27 Webelos and Arrow of Light adventure pins, you’ve got to call it mighty impressive.
Somewhere in Colorado, there’s a merit badge counselor who can smile with pride. When he was a Scout in Colorado, Derrick Goold earned the Emergency Preparedness merit badge while attending summer camp at Ben Delatour Scout Ranch in the BSA’s Longs Peak Council.
Unlike other Cub Scout diamond-shaped rank badges, the Webelos badge is an oval, similar to Scouts BSA rank badges. Webelos also wear tan uniforms instead of the blue ones that younger Cubs wear. But all Cub Scouts must earn the Bobcat badge before earning any other rank.
Wherever you find neighbors in need in Paramus, N.J., you’ll find the MERK. For the past three years, a group of Scouts and Venturers from New Jersey has operated a Mobile Emergency Response Kitchen, or MERK, to help feed first responders and disaster victims.
Photo by Tom Copeland It’s not the arrival of red cups at Starbucks or endless Black Friday emails that does it. For me, proof that the holidays are near comes from the spirit of service that seems to bubble up around this time each year.
Military service especially strikes a chord for four Scouts from Kendall, N.Y. Ryan Barrett, Noah Rath, Jayden Pieniaszek and Brian Shaw all have family members who served or who are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces. So, it seemed natural when the four were thinking of Eagle Scout project ideas, they all settled on…
Michaela Witgen’s initial reaction to the news that girls could join the BSA had nothing to do with merit badges. “The first thing I thought was, ‘Holy cow! I can get my Eagle!'” she says. “Both of my brothers are Eagle Scouts, and I want to be one, too.”
Enjoy the warm weather of Florida while acquiring the latest tools to help your Scout unit succeed. That’s the promise of a volunteer training conference at the Florida Sea Base. Pick from six weeklong conferences, each held in January 2020 at the BSA’s Florida home.
Do your Scouts want to land on the same pages as some of the most famous Scouts of all time? Here’s their chance! Whether you’re carving out the adventure of a lifetime in a snow-filled wonderland or staying warm by spending time with seniors in a retirement home, tell us about the unit outings you…
Scouts go on outdoor adventures all year long, including around Thanksgiving. We like to call it #Campsgiving , a time when the Boy Scouts of America encourages units go hiking, camping and cooking traditional Thanksgiving meals outside. It’s not a new tradition for some units.
Before saying “You’re Welcome” to Moana, jumping into Jumanji or asking wrestling fans if they could “smell what The Rock is cooking,” Dwayne Johnson was a successful football player at the University of Miami. And it was during his years with the national championship-winning Miami Hurricanes that Johnson visited the Lincoln-Marti Camporee in Miami to…
