Every February as we commemorate Black History Month, I think it’s important to reflect on and celebrate the important contributions African Americans have made to Scouting. Those contributions are many, and our movement would not be what it is today without them.
This July, the Summit Bechtel Reserve will welcome Explorers from all over the country for a massive Exploring adventure like we’ve never seen before: Summerfest 2016! Last week we gave you the breakdown on the first ever Exploring Summerfest , coming July 27-30, 2016.
For more than 100 years, Boy Scouts of America has been the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, helping young people to be “Prepared. For Life.” We know it, parents know it, Scouts and Scouters know it – but we wanted scientific proof that Scouting positively impacts character development in youth.
How many people participate in your Pinewood pit crew? Each year, Cub Scout packs from across the country gather with friends and family to zoom hand-painted creations across their respective tracks. While this iconic event is geared towards Cub Scouts, pack members certainly won’t be the only ones joining in on the fun.
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting’s annual training conference, “Scouting in the Catholic Church” is just around the corner! From July 24-30, 2016, Scouters of all experience levels will gather at the Philmont Scout Ranch High-Adventure base to spend five days fine-tuning their youth ministry skills.
Connections have evolved. Over 25 years ago, the first mobile text message was sent from a British engineer to a co-worker on the Short Messaging Service Center Project at the Vodaphone telecommunication company. 1 Texting was first popular in Europe and eventually was introduced to American customers in 1995.
NESA’s online community is about to change in a great way and you and your fellow Eagles are going to love the new features you’ll be able to use to stay connected. The associate director for the Scouting Alumni Association, Ryan Larson has the details on this exciting move, as well as a video to…
You only need to look at the 138 patches on the merit badge sash of someone like Eagle Scout John Gray to get an idea of what Scouting can offer to our young people today. John, who is part of Troop 599 in the Sam Houston Area Council , is part of an elite group of…
Okay, so the Steelers didn’t make it to the Big Game this year. I can live with that. There are still plenty of reasons to look forward to this Sunday. Among them are a couple ties to Scouting. First, Denver’s center, Matt Paradis , is an Eagle Scout.
A Florida Explorer got more than just a glimpse into the law enforcement profession last Saturday when a vehicle careened into a pond nearby. Explorer Jacob U. of the Gulf Stream Council got a call from his grandmother that evening, telling him to quickly call 911 because a vehicle had crashed into a retention pond.
If a camping adventure with your Scouting friends sounds like the ideal summer activity for you, then we’ve got some exciting news! Philmont Scout Ranch , the Northern Tier , and the Summit Bechtel Reserve High-Adventure Bases still have open spots for this summer and they can’t wait to welcome you and your buddies to experience what…
Scouting was founded on the premise of doing a Good Turn daily. Community service is very important in the character-building process and, as Scouts, we have made the commitment to give back to our communities. Each year, millions of Scouts perform service projects throughout their communities – but exactly how many hours did they perform?
Building a race car from a block of wood, wheels and nails for axles has come a long way since the first Pinewood Derby car sped down a homemade track more than 60 years ago. Since then, more than 100 million Cub Scouts have participated in this annual competition.
Do you have an inventive idea that could help your local NESA committee assist aspiring Eagle Scouts? NESA has a project for you! Each year the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) will award service grants to local council NESA committees by region to provide service to their communities and Scouting.
On February 8, 2016, Scouters everywhere will celebrate the program that brings them together—the 106 th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America! Are you planning a BSA birthday celebration next week? Then you’ve come to the right place. Nothing goes with birthday festivities like cake, and we’ve got a plethora of ideas for a…
For the first time in Scouting history, Explorers from all career fields will gather at the Summit Bechtel Reserve for an event unlike any other: SummerFest 2016. This summer, Explorers will assemble from around the country from July 27 – 30 for four days of outdoor excitement at the High-Adventure Base.
With a New Year come new resolutions. As I said at the end of last year, one of my resolutions for 2016 is to find innovative ways to introduce families to Scouting . Fittingly, one Central Florida family made a resolution to seek new adventures in the New Year, which they discovered with the help of…
One Eagle Scout from the Grand Canyon Council is going above and beyond to help kids in his community’s foster care system with an Eagle Scout project that’s providing essentials and comfort to children in need. For several months, Giovanni B.
You’ve been patiently waiting and now we’ve got the details you’ve be clamoring for – VenturingFest 2016 (previously known as AdventureFest) is the first national gathering of Venturers at the Summit Bechtel Reserve and it’s set for July 31 to August 5, 2016 .
Eagle Scout Tim K. was honored with the Eagle Scout rank after completing a project to honor his community’s first casualty of the Vietnam War. (Photo credit: Ginger Brashinger, Daily Southtown) Eagle Scout Tim K. of the Pathway to Adventure Council is the first Scout to earn Scouting’s highest rank in his troop – but that’s…
How well do you know your charter organization? How well does your charter organization know you? The January NextConnect webinar covered a myriad of communication topics, including the importance of cultivating relationships with charter organizations and your surrounding community. Marketing and experience manager Michael Ramsey and a host of guest experts delivered the latest in…
Pop quiz: what’s the best way Scouting volunteers and professionals can help deliver high-quality programs to youth and adult members? Hint: Scouting U has the answer. At the BSA, we’re committed to providing leadership and development opportunities to our youth, but to do that we must build better leaders amongst ourselves!
Fishing for a unique service project idea for aspiring Eagle Scouts or even an entire troop or pack? Professional Bass Fisherman Tom Redington has you covered. You know him best as a trophy-winning pro angler but Tom’s also Scouting Wire’s resident expert on all things fishing and he’s weighing in on how Scouts can take…
Whether you’re an avid skater or a canoe aficionado, visit the Summit Bechtel Reserve this summer and you’ll be among the first to see the property’s newest additions. Each Adventure Area is now home to it’s own pavilion! These majestic structures are equipped with electricity, lighting, and built-in storage to keep gear in tip-top shape.
Effective March 1, 2016, John Mosby will tackle a new role as the Northeast Region director. John will work in partnership with the volunteer and staff leadership of the region, areas, and councils to deliver quality Scouting programs and experiences to an increasing number of young people in the Northeast.
February is just around the corner, and that means Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, and BSA’s birthday is too! With the Scouting holiday trifecta quickly approaching, we’re bringing you the dates and details for these BSA celebrations. Scout Sunday falls on February 7 this year, followed by BSA’s 106 th anniversary on February 8, and then…
Calling all United Methodist Church Scouters! Are you ready to expand your Scout leadership skills? Or maybe you’re looking to brush up on the latest BSA programs. What better place to grow your Scouting knowledge than a BSA High-Adventure Base?
How do you get people from around the community to crowd to a school parking lot in scorching July temperatures? Leave it to a Scout to plan an event so awesome, people enthusiastically gathered outdoors in the heat of the summer.
When a Scout earns the Eagle Scout award, he’s among a very rare group of Scouts who have reached Scouting’s highest achievement. But when twins earn Eagle – they’re among an even more unique set of rare birds. Both Liam and Carrington C.
Is your Cub Scout ready for college? Probably not just yet – but your older Boy Scout is! Ok, ok, we can’t say for certain your high school senior is feeling 100% ready about leaving the nest in the fall, but according to one Eagle Scout in college, Scouting definitely gives kids a leg up when…
The BSA’s commitment to service has been an integral part of Scouting’s mission since our founding more than a century ago, so it is only fitting that we honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Boy Scout Thaddeus L., who would have been 18 this year, died in a plane crash Nov. 14, 2009. (Photo credit: Cape May County Herald) Six years ago, 12-year-old Boy Scout Thaddeus L., and his father died when their private airplane crashed shortly after ascending from the Woodbine Municipal Airport.
Boy Scout Dane H., 14, of the Great Lakes Field Service Council didn’t know what kind of adventure was in store when he set out for a day of dirt biking, but fortunately for Michigan’s Au Sable State Forest, the Scout was prepared for anything.
17-year-old Ryan R. of the Baltimore Area Council formally receives the Eagle Scout rank during his Court of Honor ceremony. (Photo credit: Carroll County Times) “I think he would be very proud,” Ryan R., said at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor according to the Carroll County Times .
Want to jump-start your recruitment goals this year? The 2016 Growth Plan is now available on the Marketing and Membership Hub , so get ready to watch your council’s membership reach new heights! As you may already know, the Marketing and Membership Hub is a trove of recruitment resources.
It’s the first national gathering of Venturers at the Summit Bechtel Reserve – a new Scouting experience unlike any other before – it’s VenturingFest 2016 and it’s coming ‘atcha this summer from July 31 to August 5 . Why You Won’t Want to Miss It VenturingFest 2016 is a special Scouting event at the Summit that’s open to…
Scouts and Scouters of all ages have the ability to inspire outdoor enthusiasm in their communities. A panel of industry experts honored such exceptional individuals and groups for encouraging others to engage in outdoor fun, at the sixth annual Outdoor Inspiration Awards.
Set sail on one of the most awe-inspiring experiences offered in Scouting by taking advantage of entering the Sea Base’s lottery for 2017! At the National High-Adventure Sea Base, all participants have the opportunity to explore a variety of aquatic activities like sailing, scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing among the most beautiful coral reefs…
Dave Hyink of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association presents Paul R. Christen with the special award. Eagle Scout and final Region Ten chairman, Paul R. Christen was recently given an Honorary Life Membership award by the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association for his contribution to BSA’s National High-Adventure Program .
Are you an Arrowmen looking for a once in a lifetime experience this summer? If so, you’re in for a major treat because the Summit Bechtel Reserve is hosting a brand new Order of the Arrow event that’s only offered in 2016.
What’s the difference between cars from 1916 and 2016? Major updates in technology, that’s what! Automotive technology is advancing quickly and now that vehicles are commonly equipped with computers, careers in this industry require a new skill set. Members of an innovative Explorer post in Honolulu, Hawaii are ready to master these modern mechanics to…
Cub Scouts from the Capitol Area Council helped deliver and unload nearly 2,000 lbs of popcorn to their local troops stationed at Camp Mabry in Austin, TX to say “thank you” to the men and women serving our country. The ton amounted to $70,000 worth of popcorn donations that will be distributed to military families…
Last week, we gave you the breakdown of the December NextConnect episode, which featured crucial recruitment topics such as: Build an Adventure campaigns Use of “Blast into Scouting” cover photo on social media Connections with schools to organize new units Use of PSA spots and other branding materials Scouting calendar presentations for parents We don’t…
Want to find a way to jump-start your council’s recruitment in the new year? Look no further because the December NextConnect webinar will be available online soon with the latest marketing and recruitment resources. In the December NextConnect webinar, Marketing and Experience Management department manager, Michael Ramsey shared useful insights from BSA marketing experts on…
How has the Scout motto, “Be Prepared” helped you? A quick glance at Scouting Newsroom or your local news will tell you Scouts everywhere are living by those two words and using their Scout know-how to take action during some serious emergency situations.
If you’re not sure what to expect at your first Scouting event as a parent, prepare to be as excited as your son will be when you both discover what the Boy Scouts of America has to offer. Emily, creator of the Busy Mommy blog, discovered her own Scouting enthusiasm when she and her youngest…
On Monday, Dec. 28 the Order of the Arrow elected new youth officers for 2016 during the OA National Planning Meeting. Read the Scout profiles below to learn more about the newly elected leaders. 2016 National Chief Hunter Jones Hunter is from Middle Tennessee Council in Nashville, TN.
The Summit Bechtel Reserve is already known for its wide array of Scouting activities, but can you guess what the newest addition to the Summit’s action-packed portfolio could be? We’ll give you one hint: this ancient invention totally revolutionized projectiles more than a millennium ago.
2015 was an incredible year for Scouting Wire. The first Scouting website of its kind, Scouting Wire launched in March of this year to be every volunteer and employee’s one-stop-shop for Boy Scouts of America program updates, leadership news, training, recruiting, fundraising, Scouting success stories and more.
It’s the spot where every Scout’s High-Adventure dreams come true. The place where adrenaline pumping fun meets exploring what it means to be a leader. It’s the Summit Bechtel Reserve, and it’s looking for enthusiastic, seasonal staff members for next summer who can help bring Scouts the best summers of their lives.