Judging by the tens of thousands of views, by now you’ve seen our #HandbookHack video series on YouTube , Facebook and ScoutingWire . It’s an outstanding series highlighting a few of the many ways Scouts are the ultimate life hackers — using the Boy Scout Handbook as our guide.
Youth Protection is a year-round topic. Remember to spread the word, aim to gain more awareness of how to protect youth from abuse, and acknowledge all of your efforts to keep our programs safe for youth and leaders. Take some time this month to discover and review these updates, revisions, and opportunities.
Earlier this year, the 13th and latest edition of a rather familiar “face” began appearing in Scout shops around the country: the Boy Scout Handbook . For 105 years — with more than 40 million copies in print — this guide to life and adventure has helped shepherd millions of boys through the ranks of Scouting, and from…
Did you hear that? It’s the sounds of birds chirping, campfires crackling and food sizzling on the grill. Yep – spring is here and with it comes outdoor cooking season. While a good Scout can cook up a mean meal outside anytime of the year, it’s that time again when we can get back to the…
Scouts grow older as the years go by, yet the principles and skills they learn from the Boy Scouts of America stick with them for a lifetime, keeping them Prepared. For Life. Years of emergency prep training came rushing back to 34-year-old Eagle Scout John Sidlinger as he jumped to help a woman trapped inside…
If you’ve ever been to a Cub Scout day camp, you know they’re jam-packed with awesome summer activities. But which is the best one? Tug-of-War? Or is Human Foosball the main event? Maybe you’re even Team Archery. Now we can settle the debate once an for all (or at least for this summer), thanks to…
Join us this spring as we go back in time for a look at Boy Scout Handbooks through history! Last week, we announced the official release of the Boy Scout Handbook’s 13 th edition but now we’re rewinding the clock to uncover handbooks of the past on Scouting America’s official Instagram .
There is just something wonderful about sitting around a fire, enjoying time with friends and family, sharing stories, laughter, and, if you’re lucky, a delicious meal cooked over that fire. It’s an experience many Scouts know well, and something they look forward to as part of the millions of collective nights Scouts camp each year.
Today I’m happy to announce that as part of Scouting’s commitment to find innovative ways to help America’s youth identify their passion and achieve their potential, we are renewing our focus on Exploring, a unique career exploration Scouting program for young people ages 14-20.
Scouts demonstrate their skills at the Redwood Empire Council’s March Scout-O-Rama (Photo Credit: The Press Democrat/ Alvin Jornada) Where can people from all around the community learn Scout skills, play games, and learn about nature? A Scout-o-Rama! The Redwood Empire Council decided to bring Scout-O-Rama back after a five-year hiatus and welcomed guests for a…
The votes are in! Pratik Vaidya of the Chief Seattle Council has been named National Venturing President, and Rachel West from Capitol Area Council , the National Sea Scout Boatswain for the coming year. On June 1, 2016,Pratik and Rachel will join Order of the Arrow National Chief Hunter Jones as Scouting’s three top youth representatives…
Youth and young adults today want more control over the choices they make regarding their future and Exploring is making it easier than ever to make it happen. How? Officially launching today, www.Exploring.org is new and improved with features that make youth career exploration hassle-free and exciting.
A still picture widely circulated this week on social media showed a baby dragon breathing a puff of smoke. This image turned out to be the winner in a 2008 Photoshop contest. 1 Our email and social media accounts are inundated with all types of hoaxes, false stories and fake images.
We all discover Scouting in different ways. Sometimes it’s a parent who proactively gets us involved. In other instances, it may be a friend inviting us to join. For me it was the Boy Scouts Handbook . As a young boy I came across the Handbook when I was sent to the library to read after…
In our digital age, our character and reputation are defined beyond the Boy Scout uniform, and beyond our physical actions. The information we share on social media can have either positive or negative real-world effects. A recent study showed how true this is.
We all know and love the handbook. Yours is probably worn out, tattered and always by your side. It teaches us everything from how to start a fire to how to spot a cyberbully. It helps you excel at Scouting adventures – and life.
What’s the key to having a leg up on the competition for job searches or college applications? According to a four-generation family of Eagle Scouts from the Michigan Crossroads Council , the answer is clear – it’s the “Eagle Scout edge”. Scouting has played a significant role in the accomplishments of John T., his father, sons and…
For more than 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has enriched the lives of countless youth across the country – all thanks to the passionate leaders and volunteers who strive to make Scouting a meaningful program. But what many may forget is that Scouting isn’t just benefiting youth, Scouting is making a positive impact on…
One of the many great things about the Scouting program is its hands-on approach to leadership development. Time and time again, BSA’s youth members demonstrate an ability to rise to the occasion and put their leadership skills to good use.
Getting excited for summer yet? So are we! But if the countdown is starting to make you a little impatient, we’ve got just the thing. Pass the time and brush up on your warm-weather adventure skills with these four need-to-know knots for summer: 1.
In case you haven’t noticed, warmer temperatures have begun to roll across the the country and summer vacation will be here before we know it. Have you procrastinated your summer planning? Don’t panic—There’s still time and availability to sign up for an awesome summer camping event and we’re breaking down what you need to know…
Whether he’s leading new relationships with outside corporations, heading up our in-house sales agency or spearheading new green efforts for the organization, the BSA’s top guy for corporate engagement and sustainability has his hands full with an array of jobs that are helping Scouting reach families and businesses far and wide.
Unlike some fleeting childhood hobbies or interests, Boy Scouts of America invites youth to a lifetime of unforgettable character-building experiences that transform them into the leaders of the future. Opening young people to a world of discovery, fun and friendship, Scouting introduces its members to relationships they can count on, forging bonds as strong as…
Scout Ryan V. was awarded the Medal of Merit after he saved a man’s life with the skills he learned in Scouting. (Photo credit: DNAinfo/Mina Bloom) One quick-thinking Boy Scout from the Pathway to Adventure Council is thanking Scouting for equipping him with skills that are not only preparing him for life – they’re the difference…
Any Cub Scout leader can tell you, every pack is unique – so their anniversary celebration should be also! For some packs, participating in new activities is the highlight of the banquet. The main event for other packs might be an age-old Cub tradition.
Recently, I had the opportunity to spend a brief time with our delegates during Scouting’s annual Report to the Nation journey to Washington, D.C. Due to office demands, I couldn’t spend the entire week with them (I certainly hope to in future years), but I did get a strong sense of how powerful this trip…
There’s nothing quite like that amazing feeling you get when you finally pry the lid off a Dutch oven and peer down into its depths. Your nostrils fill with a heavenly aroma and your mouth begins to water as your gaze falls lovingly on a hearty dish you’ll soon devour around a campfire.
Select councils will gear up this fall to pilot Lions, a new Scouting program for kindergarten-age boys. Sounds simple, right? Isn’t it just a matter of adding a new rank to Cub Scouting?… Not so fast! Although there are similarities, there are also differences between Lions and the core Cub Scouting program and we’re here…
Becoming a trained Venturing volunteer has never been so easy! The new online learning portal for Venturing has been released in the BSA Learn Center, and starting is as simple as firing up your web browser. As an alternative to classroom training at the local council, this portal allows volunteers to complete their leader-specific training…
This fall, Scouting will launch a new pilot program called “Lions” in select councils nationwide. This new pilot program is designed to test whether or not Scouting can and should serve kindergarten-age boys. Originally piloted and developed in the Northern Star Council, and joined by a few others, it has proven to be popular with…
Looking for the perfect mix of Scouting and STEM adventures? How about an educational program focused on conservation and leadership development at the magnificent Philmont Scout Ranch? If you think this sounds like a recipe for the perfect STEM camping experience, you’re in luck: there’s still time to sign up for Philmont’s Roving Outdoor Conservation…
Adam Keys, an injured veteran of the war in Afghanistan, said the support he received from Boy Scouts helps him maintain a positive outlook on life. (Photo credit: Lauren Loricchio/Capital Gazette) Fifteen-year-old Boy Scout Ryan O. of the Del-Mar-Va Council has always had a passion for serving veterans.
Scouts meet President Obama in Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: Official White House Photos by Pete Souza) Scouts proudly shook the hand of the Commander in Chief on Thursday, carrying on the nearly century-old BSA tradition, Report to the Nation. The youth delegates met with President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., to deliver the 2015 annual…
It’s time to start pumping up and counting down because the 2017 National Jamboree will be here before you know it. The Summit Bechtel Reserve just announced a contest for jamboree enthusiasts to show off favorite memories and begin planning new ones!
In the spirit of peace and brotherhood, the Transatlantic Council invites Scouting youth, families, professionals, volunteers and veterans to the Omaha Beach Camporee in Normandy, France for an unforgettable opportunity to recognize the sacrifices of American and Allied soldiers, who fought and died fighting for freedom and peace in 1944.
Cub Scout Robert R. displays his Medal of Merit Award for rescuing two toddlers from drowning. (Photo credit: Catholicphilly.com) When one Cub Scout visited his local swim club last summer, he didn’t expect to leave the pool a life-saver. Yet when the Scout spotted two toddlers drowning in the deep end, he sprung into action…
Anywhere, any time, any place is a good time for Boys’ Life magazine. March 1 marks the 105 th birthday of Boys’ Life , and to celebrate, the classic publication has a great gift for readers of all ages: the official Boys’ Life app!
In Scouting, we pride ourselves on the character- and leadership-development opportunities we provide for our nation’s youth. That pride approaches an apex when we see our members go on to do tremendous things and then credit our movement with helping them succeed.
**Updated for 2017** Eagle Scouts with a thirst for adventure and discovery have the opportunity to travel the world and dive into a field of interest by applying to the National Eagle Scout Association’s World Explorers Program . The World Explorers Program pairs extraordinary Eagles with world-class researchers at sites around the globe.
Scouting has a great story to tell — not just about where we have been, but also about our strategy for bringing new adventures to more young people across the nation. Next week, we’ll do just that when I join 10 Scouting delegates for our annual Report to the Nation journey to Washington, D.C.
Morgan Freeman took a break from Hollywood’s award season to receive a different kind of award – the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award. The award recognizes noteworthy and extraordinary leadership of Mississippians and serves as a way to inspire Scouts to lead while delivering a message that character counts.
Think you’ve mastered all there is to know about Scouting? What you may not know is the Scouting U development team is in the process of expanding the Learning Center. Volunteers will soon have access to a trove of educational materials relevant to their roles in the Scouting movement.
Looking for a one-of-a-kind camping expedition this summer? The Summit Bechtel Reserve has the solution for a campout you won’t forget! If you want to experience High-Adventure, but also want the flexibility of making your own activity schedule, then the the Summit’s Appalachian Adventure is the perfect camping trip for you.
At the BSA, we believe Scouting programs should be available to all youth, no matter their location, background or economic circumstances. We want all young people to have the opportunity to join Scouting. Through Scoutreach, we are helping to make that happen.
81-year-old Harry Persons Jr. salutes longtime friend Jim Scarbrough after receiving the Eagle Scout award. (Photo credit: Karen Murphy/Times-Enterprise) Sixty-three years have passed since one man completed the requirements toward earning the Eagle Scout rank his teenage self worked so hard to achieve.
When I was a boy and Boys’ Life magazine arrived, it was always a challenge to know what to read first. Would it be the jokes in “Think and Grin” ? The stories about Boy Scouts trekking in the wilderness? So many options!
Now’s the time to give your Pinewood Derby cars a tune up and fresh coat of paint because it’s officially time for the 2016 Pinewood Derby Photo Contest ! From now until April 7, you may upload a photo with the theme of Pinewood Derby to the official Cub Scouts website for the chance to take…
Join us in welcoming the Sea Scouts as the newest independent program in Scouting. The nautical aficionados of the Scouting world have officially joined the ranks of the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturing as a separate BSA program .
Charter J. will officially receive the Eagle Scout award at his Court of Honor ceremony on Feb. 21. (Photo credit: Woodbury Bulletin) Earning the Eagle Scout rank isn’t the first challenge Charter J. of the Northern Star Council has encountered in his life.
Are you looking for resources to fuel your council’s 2017 Jamboree marketing efforts? Well you’re in luck because we’ve packaged a toolkit that’s perfect for you! From printed materials to digital assets, you can find what you need in the 2017 Jamboree Promo Kit .