The Bloggers
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During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas.
My first backpacking trip was a family hike to a trail shelter in Shenandoah National Park in the early seventies. My brother and I carried frame-less canvas backpacks with webbing shoulder straps that my dad padded with upholstery foam. I don't recall much else about the gear we used because my brother and I were…
Your choice of sleeping bags starts with figuring out where it will be used, what size you need, and the types of fill and construction are available. See the sleeping bags I recommend for Scouts (and all kinds of other gear recommendations) on the Outdoor Gear Guide .
While the twelve points of the Scout law at summer camp isn't different than the Scout law anywhere else the week we spend together in the company of other Scouts is a great opportunity to discover how the Scout law applies to everything we do.
This Scoutmaster's minute is based on one of Aesop's Fables. The Wind and the Sun were arguing. It's a little know fact but, every once in a while, the forces of nature have an argument, and I happened to overhear them the other day.
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers In this podcast we discuss ‘real' responsibility, answer email questions about getting folks to lend a hand with a Cub Pack and see if we can help out a new Scoutmaster. All this and your messages in the mailbag! Listen to Scoutmaster Podcast 221 Get The SCOUTMASTERCG APP Podcast Archive
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas.
One Mother's Day, when I was a Senior Patrol Leader, I sent an email thanking all the mothers for their contribution and expressing appreciation for all they do. I was surprised by the number of appreciative replies I received! As I've gotten older, I've realized more and more how much mothers and fathers do for…
This video from the author of Paracord Fusion Ties demonstrates tying a fleur-de-lis knot - I have the Kindle edition of Volume one of Paracord Fusion Ties (there are three volumes). It has very easy to follow illustrations and I recommend highly, the number of things you can make with paracord is nearly endless, and it's…
Have you seen the Gear Guide ? PDF version of Three Things Parents Can Do Infographic You'll find the Sharpie Laundry Marker comes in handy for putting names on clothing. Sharpie Laundry Marker at Amazon Three things Scout parents can do to help Scouts with their gear (and save a Scoutmaster's sanity).
Scout service projects are a basic element of any solid program, and participation in them is a requirement for advancement in rank. What service projects qualify for rank requirements? Let's begin by looking at the requirements themselves: Second Class requirement: Participate in an approved (minimum of one hour) service project.
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers In this podcast We talk about high adventure, answer email questions on a ‘one man show' and a bullying incident, and share a great Scoutmaster's Minute. All this and your messages in the mailbag! Listen to Scoutmaster Podcast 220 Get The SCOUTMASTERCG APP Podcast Archive
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas.
Perhaps you've asked for help, and folks let you down. Your Scout's reactions to your efforts may be somewhat less than what you expected. You've tried to apply what you've learned and it falls flat. Welcome to the club! You already know what I am to write, you've read or heard it a thousand times…
Author and illustrator Eric Sloane wrote and illustrated many books on early American living and artifacts. I read these books as a boy and they inspired a life-long study and interest in the subjects the author so clearly explains. I recommend these three titles to you and to your Scouts as sources of knowledge and…
Atoms are 99.99% empty space. Solid objects aren't actually solid, just tiny bits of matter floating in an electrostatic field. Scouting is 99.99% values and ideals. Everything else is window dressing. Take the space out of atoms and things turn into a little pile of dust.
John Wiebke Scoutmaster of Troop 358 in Zionsville, Indiana, shares his summer plans (and what great plans they are!) Nothing makes the winter pass quicker than looking forward to a great summer adventure! Every other year our troop travels to Ontario, Canada, for summer camp at Halliburton Scout Reservation (three hours north of Toronto on…
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers Some great email questions reguarding aquatics awards, finances, and working with adult volunteers along with a visit from our old friend Brick Mason! Resources mentioned in this podcast – my Scout accounts article , FISCAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR BSA UNITS from the BSA. Listen to Scoutmaster Podcast 219 Podcast Archive
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas.
You know the difference between a wannabe (want-to-be, get it?) leader and a real leader? Just watch them in action, it's easy to tell! A wannabe loves giving orders, being in the spotlight, takes all the praise, has all the privileges, and makes everyone else do the tough work.
If you want something done right, do it yourself". Things are easier that way, but it's not really Scouting is it? As a Patrol Leader, I knew what I wanted; it was easier to do everything myself rather than explaining it to everyone else.
When I was a Patrol Leader, Bill (the Senior Patrol Leader) and I weren't seeing eye to eye. Bill was a good Scout who took his responsibilities seriously, but he ordered us around, picked on little details, and lectured my Patrol if we overlooked something.
I've headed up a number of Scouter training events, and been trained in several different volunteer positions. Scouters are typically gregarious, good-spirited folks; but the dedication and single-mindedness required to be a good Scouter sometimes makes us difficult trainees. Here's my do's and don'ts for getting the most out of a Scouter training course: Do…
Here's some pictures of a customized Rubbermaid Action Packer from a post at FJ Crusier Forums . The modifications include a hinge on the lid reinforced with electrical conduit, wire organizers attached to the inside, a knife rack, and paper towel holder for the outside.
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers In this podcast I answer email questions about medical issues and we return to the eternal question of "forming" youth leadership ("forming" - listen to find out how funny that is!) LEnd a hand to answering the questions I asked in the Scouter Forum Listen to Scoutmaster Podcast 218 Podcast Archive
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas.
I was reminded (thank's Jeff!) to remind you that Lyme disease season is upon us. The map above shows where Lyme is an issue when camping and hiking in the outdoors. Consult this CDC website for a comprehensive set of resources to better understand Lyme and how to prevent it.
Once at winter camp the temperature was just above freezing, and the wind blew a sharp drizzle into every contrivable shelter and refuge. I was a young Scout rinsing dishes. There wasn't a rubber glove in sight, so I was lucky enough to dunk my frozen hands into cold water.
What are your favorite places to go camping or hiking? How would you reply? Leave a comment or let me know on the forum . I was asked to share my favorite camping and hiking locations for Florida Outdoors . Here's my contribution: It takes a certain kind of person to go out alone and enjoy wild…
Sir Ernest Shackleton's board of review for the rank of World Explorer assembled one evening and began reading over his application and supporting documentation. He earned all of his merit badges on Captain Scott's Antarctic Discovery Expedition in 1901–04, and clocked his leadership tenure as the leader of British Antarctic Expedition in 1907–09.
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers From time to time I receive email from Scouters who have some basic disagreement with the way the program is being presented in their unit. These disagreements aren't over things that endanger Scouts, the disagreements are usually around the application of the patrol system or youth leadership.
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas.
Ernest Thompson-Seton founded his vision of Scouting on the lore of Native American life. I've devoted a great deal of time over the years to studying the Native American Peoples who once occupied Southeastern Pennsylvania where I live (specifically the Lenape and Susquehannock).
The steps in training have become so absorbing and important that in many cases the aim has come to be lost sight of. -B.P Take a moment and step back from all of your roles and responsibilities and observe how simple Scouting is.
Steve Fox's list of roles and responsibilities in Scouting spans five decades. From his boyhood home in Maryland, to college in Indiana and Illinois, as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand, and during eight tours of duty with the Foreign Service in East and South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa Scouting has continued to…
Here's a Scoutmaster minute idea for your notebook: If you visit the archery range at camp this summer (and you should!) you'll get the opportunity to shoot an arrow at a target. If you shoot six arrows at the target how many do you think will hit the bull's-eye?
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I’ll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you’ll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas.
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas.
Fellow Scoutmaster and friend in Tullahoma Tennessee, Tom Gillard, writes: Friday afternoon I noticed a buzzard trying to feed on a dead squirrel in the road. I picked up the squirrel carcass and tossed it to the side of the road out of traffic (us old buzzards have to look out for each other).
From the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England this Roman multi tool or compound utensil was excavated from somewhere in the Mediterranean a couple of decades ago. Measuring 3in x 6in the artifact was probably made between AD 200 and AD 300 during the height of the Roman Empire.
It is scarcely necessary for me to go over the old ground of our principles; they have been the same ever since the Movement started. But when it started it was on a very simple scheme, and with the growth of years many new interpretations and many new side lines have been added to it…
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers Reflection is a powerful tool for developing character and leadership, in this podcast I share some thoughts on mastering the art of reflection. Listen to Scoutmaster Podcast 215 Podcast Archive
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas.
My best friend in my Scout Troop and I had completely opposite personalities. I was serious; he was the ‘class-clown'. He found plenty of ways to pick on me and I looked for the best way to frustrate him. We considered each other the most annoying Scout in the Troop.
Our Troop split up into Patrols for part of our weekly Troop meetings; we called this "Patrol Corners". Most of the time we did this to "work on rank advancement" and Patrol Leaders would do little more than having everyone read their books a half hour.
Patrols who build community service in their Operations Plan build Patrol spirit. I'd say that nothing builds Scout spirit quite like service to others! When Scouts do real good in the world, something great happens. When we serve others, we become part of something bigger than ourselves.
During the late Middle Ages the practice of a master craftsman employed laborers ten to fifteen years of age (apprentices) in exchange for food, lodging and instruction became a formal tradition. For a few centuries we passed our skills and knowledge of craft from generation to generation through apprenticeship .
The author's 5-year-old son, Gideon, playing at the Land playground in North Wales. (Hanna Rosin) In her Atlantic Monthly article, The Overprotected Kid , Hanna Rosin writes: It's hard to absorb how much childhood norms have shifted in just one generation.
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers What advice do you have for a Webelos Den leader who just crossed over with his Webelos into a Scout Troop? In this podcast I give my best answer. Also a number of email questions concerning a lost handbook, questions about "duty to God", faith specific prayers and reflections, working with…
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers In this week's podcast I discuss building positive peer pressure and answer email questions about direct donations to Scout Troops, immediate recognition and the Eagle Scout rank, and the appointment of youth positions of responsibility in a Scout Troop. Listen to Scoutmaster Podcast 216 Podcast Archive
