The Bloggers
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Do you love campfires and the stories told around them? Does dining in the woods sound like a five-star meal to you? Well get ready to celebrate! Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, camping requirements for First Class Boy Scouts will increase.
Is your council participating in a 2016 Learning for Life STEM day camp? All staff and volunteers from councils interested in utilizing STEM day camps are invited to join the Learning for Life STEM Day Camp webinar on Tuesday, Jan.
The BSA and the National Park Service (NPS) have been partners from the beginning; through campouts, hikes, and volunteerism, millions of Scouts have experienced and supported their national parks for more than 100 years. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, we are excited to unveil the design for the NPS Centennial…
During this season of giving, I often think about how our Scouting for Food program has evolved into a lasting goodwill adventure for many of our councils. It is a wonderful example of how our spirit of service to our communities knows no boundaries.
Exciting updates are coming in 2016 for BSA camp programs, including new activities and changes to shooting sports and aquatics programs. New shooting sports activities will be offered such as sporting arrows, chalk balls, cowboy action, and more. Aquatics programs will also be seeing changes due to new Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations.
Gary Butler, Deputy Chief Scout Executive and chief operating officer will be retiring at the end of this month, effective December 31, 2015. Gary, a Distinguished Eagle Scout, began his Scouting career in 1980 as a district executive in Long Island, N.Y.
The new year is approaching quickly, with only a few short weeks before we ring in 2016. To assist in your council’s strategic planning for next year, the Performance Management Department is providing demographic data specific to each council. Councils can locate the Demographic and Income Profile and Total Available Youth by Ethnicity Table on…
A season of giving, thanks and cheer, the holidays are a special time to look back on all of the wonderful Scouting memories of 2015. The BSA has always been committed to serving the youth of America through its programs and adventures, and today, we wish to say ‘thank you’ to all of the leaders…
This summer, a Cub Scout Pack in the Sam Houston Area Council hosted a back-to-school event and invited local parents to bring their sons for an afternoon of regatta-themed adventure. Rachel, a mom blogger and creator of A Southern Fairytale , was not quite sure what to expect when she and her son arrived at the…
Eagle Scout Logan S. prepares a plane for liftoff at the Bobby Chain regional airport. (Photo submitted to the Hattiesburg American) When Logan S. earned the Eagle Scout rank at age 15, it was clear he would reach incredible heights.
Just east of the Mississippi lies a council that hosts one of the largest University of Scouting events in the region – averaging over a thousand participants a year! Lewis & Clark Council ’s annual extravaganza provides training for all levels of Scouting and it’s the highlight of the training year.
Boy Scout service hour requirements will soon increase in a series of BSA program updates beginning Jan. 1, 2016. Bryan on Scouting has been giving us the breakdown for the upcoming program changes and recently shared an article detailing the new service hour requirements.
One of our top priorities for 2016 is to find new and innovative ways to reach out and provide a quality Scouting experience for underserved youth. So it’s always inspiring to see how some of our units are already working creatively with community partners to get a head start on that important goal.
Each year, the United States Naval Academy (USNA) welcomes Boy Scout troops to the USNA STEM Merit Badge Jamboree. Members of USNA’s chapter of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) share their expertise with troops during an adventure-packed weekend. The upcoming jamboree is scheduled for January 15-17, 2016, and attendance is expected to be huge.
You’ve heard the big news about the Summit Bechtel Reserve hosting the 2019 World Scout Jamboree , but did you hear who will be taking the reins of this epic event? According to Scouting Newsroom , Martin “Marty” Walsh has been selected as the executive director of the 2019 World Scout Jamboree.
We are pleased to announce an additional commissioned professional position, Deputy Scout Executive. This position was created through a collaborative process between Human Resources and several Scout executives who demonstrated the need for this role in certain local councils. Eligibility for the Deputy Scout Executive position will be restricted to grade 100 and 200 level…
With 2016 just around the corner, councils are gearing up for an exciting year of growth for Exploring and Learning for Life programs. To help prep your councils for the year ahead, the national staff of Learning for Life is sharing the 2016 Growth packets to make program planning a piece of cake.
Scouts are big fans of bicycles. Earning the Cycling merit badge , riding all those miles of bike trails at The Summit Bechtel Reserve , and taking part in mountain biking at Philmont Scout Ranch are just a few of the many ways Scouts get involved in cycling.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, Scouts will fulfill the “duty to God” requirement to advance to any rank, from Tenderfoot to Eagle Scout. When a Scout is ready to move to the next rank he will be asked to reflect on his personal beliefs and tell his Scout leader how he is fulfilling his own duty…
Last Thursday, we gathered for Thanksgiving. The next day, many of us crowded stores during Black Friday and yesterday many clicked online during Cyber Monday, scrambling for holiday shopping deals. Today, however, is a day dedicated to giving back, a Scouting value that we have instilled in America’s youth for over a century to help…
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to reflect on what we are most grateful for not only in the past year, but in our everyday lives. For me, it’s family. My wife and I really have enjoyed watching our three nephews grow over the years, and getting together for a huge holiday meal gives us all…
Who’s too busy? You and your family, that’s for sure – running from work to school, having family time, shopping for food or clothes and add in an occasional movie or visit with friends each week…your calendar is already full. Now let’s add an after-school activity!
How great would it be to receive ideas and insights straight from the BSA marketing experts? Well thanks to our new webinar series, NextConnect, you can! NextConnect is a monthly segment that provides valuable recruitment and marketing tools to council leaders around the country.
From the author who brought us the popular Scouting read, Four Percent, Michael S. Malone shares the untold stories of Scout courage in his newest book, Running Toward Danger: Real Life Scouting Action Stories of Heroism, Valor and Guts . Featuring 170 of the most exciting rescues in the history of the BSA’s heroism awards, the…
Councils and districts can now peer into the minds of more than 98,000 Scouts, parents, volunteers and chartered organization representatives thanks to the feedback and insights collected in October’s Voice of the Scout. The results can be found on your VOS dashboard, providing a structured, streamlined way to review feedback at both council and district…
The 18 th Annual President’s Marketing Awards (PMAs) are getting an earlier start! Entries are being accepted now through January 29, 2016, 5:00 p.m. (Central) and the submissions site is open at https://marketingawardsportal.scouting.org/Pages/default.aspx . The PMAs are the benchmark for excellence in highlighting great local council work across the country.
Our world is constantly changing, but one thing remains the same: Scouting continues to be a symbol of adventure, fun, and achievement for youth and their families. The core elements of the program are timeless and there’s always a great story to be told.
After a couple of months on the job as Chief Scout Executive, I am happy to report just how much fun I am having connecting with all of you: both reconnecting with many folks I’ve encountered throughout my Scouting career, and also getting to know so many new people — staff, volunteers and Scouts alike.
The Scout badge will soon be more than the initial patch given to new Boy Scout members. Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, Scout will become its own dedicated rank. Bryan on Scouting recently shared an article about the upcoming change. The article explains that the requirements to earn the Scout rank may be more challenging than…
Have you ever come face-to-face with a bear in the wilderness? Well if you visit the Summit Bechtel Reserve you’ll be able to claim you have! Ok, ok, you won’t be greeted by a real bear – you’ll run into a 2-D painting of a bear featured in the Summit’s new mural at the Scott Visitor…
With 2016 just around the corner, now’s the time to get your councils amped up to register for the 2017 Jamboree. So to help you pump up the excitement in your councils, Scouting Wire is sharing some helpful videos to illustrate why the jamboree is the Scouting event you won’t want to miss.
We know you love working on projects, building things with your own two hands. That desire to make and build has been a big part of Scouting for millions of young people. Maybe you’re looking for that next project to take on, or you might be on the hunt for a great science project idea…
Scouts and Venturers are conquering extreme climates, climbing the highest peaks on the planet, breaking world records and accomplishing incredible feats in the outdoors almost everyday – so why not honor those stand-out kids in a big way? Starting now through Friday, November 20, you can give inspiring Scouts and Venturers the major kudos they deserve…
I’m a firm believer in the importance of rewarding and recognizing our staff, volunteers and Scouts who go above and beyond to represent Scouting well and advance our movement. That’s why I was honored yesterday to present four National Service Center employees with the Silver Benchmark Award at the National Staff meeting.
Last week you got the scoop on #GivingTuesday and how your support helps Scouting on this global day of giving. Today, we’re rolling out some helpful resources to get your councils fired up to promote #GivingTuesday using the power of social media and other outreach tools.
Looking for an adventure you’ll never forget? Look no further than the Summit Bechtel Reserve. But don’t take our word for it – hear it straight from the outrageous guys of Dude Perfect, the YouTube sports entertainment group that has fun written all over it.
Are you ready to thrive in subzero temperatures and trek across the winter wilderness? What about paddle across acres of meandering rivers while reveling in the natural beauty of the Great North Woods? If you said yes, you’re in luck because Northern Tier is now offering a lottery that will give you a chance to…
Veterans’ Day for the Surbaugh family brings back proud memories of my grandfather who served in the Navy in World War II and in Korea as a Quartermaster. He and a number of our family members served our nation in military service, and we honor them on Veterans’ Day as millions of others also take…
Some people think the Scout Law only applies to Scouts – but in reality, you don’t have to be a Scout to live by the key principles of Scouting. The 12 pillars of the Scout Law are universal guides that anyone can take inspiration from to be their best self.
Do you know a stand-out Scouting alum who’s made an extraordinary difference to the nation? Now’s your time to recognize that person because nominations are now open for the National Alumnus of the Year Award! This award is the Scouting Alumni Association’s highest recognition and was established to recognize alumni of the BSA who, over…
Join us in congratulating Lamar Perry as Area Director for area five of the Southern Region, effective December 16, 2015. Lamar began his Scouting career in 1996 as District Executive at the Middle Tennessee Council in Nashville, Tenn. He was promoted to Senior District Executive later in the same council.
Need a quick video explaining what the Jamboree is all about? You’re at the right place. Check out the video below to get an overview of what’s in store for participants and staff volunteers attending the 2017 Jamboree. After you watch, share the video with your Scouting network and spread the word on social media.
If you’ve been keeping up with Scouting Wire, you’ve probably already met the creator of Scoutbook and found out why Scouting Nation loves the handy app . But who’s the BSA leader behind the tool that’s engaging youth on their mobile devices and helping adult leaders deliver the program with more ease than ever?
November is National Aviation History Month. That’s a whole month focused on the amazing achievements the United States has made in the development of aviation. And when you consider the impact Scouts have had on aviation history, we have a lot to celebrate this month.
Every year when the weather turns cold, Scouting for Food heats up. That’s the council-run food-collection drive that benefits local communities. Here’s how it works: Councils set their own dates for Scouting for Food. Most hold their drives on back-to-back weekends some time between November and March.
Scouters, volunteers, and parents know the positive impact Scouting has on youth. In fact, in our Families Like Yours video series families across the nation shared what Scouting means to them and how the program has changed their lives. And just recently, Scouting Wire shared a study which scientifically proves the value of Scouting .
Does your council need help staying focused on the big picture and working on the goals you want to achieve? Want to be aligned with the new BSA Strategy? Connected with the 4 National BSA Initiatives for 2016? Or just learn more about them?
The BSA has a proven track record of shaping youth into people of outstanding character – people who understand the meaning of accountability and the importance of servant leadership. On #GivingTuesday, December 1, 2015, we’re continuing that record by helping Scouts become the leaders of the future.
The topic of bullying has been addressed multiple times on Chief’s Corner, and will continue to be a topic of discussion until bullying ends. Until that day, I’ll work to find opportunities to speak out about this important issue. One recent opportunity occurred on Oct.
You’ve seen the making of the life-size Dan Beard statue and learned about the influential man behind the bronze, but now, Scouts and Scouters have the opportunity to behold the finished product in all of it’s glory. On Saturday, October 24, the Dan Beard Council unveiled the long-anticipated statue of Daniel “Uncle Dan” Carter Beard…
