The Bloggers
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If I could change one thing about Scouting I'd do away with the term ‘adult leader'. Leaders are directive, they tell people what to do and how to do it. Advisors and mentors , on the other hand, are motivational – they help people develop skills and find the inspiration in their work.
Scoutmaster Podcast 191 In This Podcast In this edition of the Scoutmaster podcast we discuss the Court of Honor and share the idea of the Scouter as a guide. All this and your messages in the mailbag. Links Scoutcircle.org Podcast Archive Scoutmaster Podcast 191 – Courts of Honor
Scoutmaster Joe Jacaruso shares his backpacking knowledge. Joe Jacaruso, Scoutmaster and an avid backpacker, will join us at ScoutCircle.org Sunday October 13 9-10 PM EDT to talk about Scouts and backpacking. ScoutCircle is a monthly live presentation with questions from viewers, you can see our past ScoutCircles presentations here .
This report of an impressive good turn performed by Afghan Scouts was filed by the WOSM today Scouts and leaders under PARSA , a non-government organization operating in orphanages in Afghanistan, did their good turn as they helped residents of Sarobi District, in Kabul Province, which is worst-hit by the flooding August this year.
From The Scout Association (UK) website : The Scout Association (TSA) has launched an additional alternative version to the core Scout Promise in order to officially welcome atheists into the Movement. Following an extensive 10-month consultation process within and outside of the Movement, TSA has introduced an additional alternative version of the Scout Promise that can…
Scoutmaster Podcast 190 In This Podcast In this edition of the Scoutmaster podcast we discuss training patrol leaders in fifteen minutes and ask if you have what it takes. All this and your messages in the mailbag. Links Scoutcircle.org Podcast Archive Podcast Archive Scoutmaster Podcast 190 – Do You Have What It Takes?
Pioneering tower challenge; build this tower using this sketch. Send me a picture of the result! It won't be easy, certainly, but is it possible? You may want to refer to this book for a little help. Pioneering Tower Challenge
I was introduced to huevos rancheros or "rancher's eggs' by one of my Scouts (Jesus Torralba) nearly twenty years ago when Jesus was our grubmaster for a cabin camping trip. Since then it's been one of my preferred camping breakfasts.
photographs by Liesl de Weerd click to see full-sized image This pioneering sculpture was created by a Scout named Ruan from 1st Horison , a Scout group on the West Rand near Johannesburg in South Africa (map below). Ruan is working towards Springbok Scout – the highest rank in Scouts South Africa, like our Eagle Scout.
Keep before your mind in all your teaching that the whole ulterior motive of this scheme is to form character … Baden-Powell Scouting's ulterior motive, our goal as Scouters, is forming character. The methods of Scouting , (the patrol system, outdoor adventure, etc.), are the tools of character development.
Patrol leader training is not an event; it is an ongoing process of coaching and mentoring. Good coaching comes from a solid, simple, shared understanding of the fundamentals. To my mind a trained patrol leader knows these fundamentals. Here's how I train patrol leaders in fifteen minutes.
Scoutmaster Podcast 189 In This Podcast In this edition of the Scoutmaster podcast we discuss Webelos visits to troop meetings and answer your questions regarding youth protection on patrol activities, troop size and the patrol, newsletters, and questionable patrol selection decisions by the senior patrol leader. Links Scoutcircle.org Podcast Archive Scoutmaster Podcast 189
I follow Scoutmaster Mike Asbell blog Wild Saunter , a collection of quiet meditations on a simple theme: go take a walk in the woods. Well worth a look! "There is nothing so sanative, so poetic, as a walk in the woods and fields."
A ripping good yarn from John Thurman's Patrol Leader's Handbook was aimed at helping the Scouts of 1950 catch the spirit of their work as patrol leaders. I offer it here to spark your imagination, and to answer the question ‘why do we have Scoutmasters?'; In the early days of Scouting boys from all over…
Feeling alone? Frustrated with your youth leadership? Does it seem as though every effort to get them motivated falls short? Wish for ‘the good old days' when ‘Scouting really meant something' and boys were able to think for themselves? See if you don't share some of the frustrations expressed by this Scoutmaster: We are continually…
2012 Red Lantern Recipient Jan Steve's, shares her inspiring story of ‘the challenge of a lifetime' in the Edmonds News. The fastest musher in the history of Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ran the 1000-plus mile course from Anchorage to Nome in just under nine days.
Patrols are much more than a convenient way to divide a large group of Scouts into smaller, more manageable groups. Patrols are the single unique feature of Scouting and the indispensable method for achieving the aims of Scouting. Most of became Scouters as Cub Leaders.
This edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast features Deena Mather's weather fun facts, a discussion of five fundamentals of the patrol method, and answers to email questions concerning families on camping trips, too much adult leadership, and fixing patrol problems. ScoutCircle.org Get your copy of Thoughts On Scouting A collection of ideas, insights, and inspirations for…
Here's a question I recently received asking how to fix Scout patrol problems: I'm a Scoutmaster with less than a year under my belt and I'm faced with a ‘good problem' ; we're growing. We currently have 4 patrols and we anticipate that we will get about 7 Scouts from the Pack in February; they would…
As a camp director one summer, years ago, several Scouters complained that our dining hall steward was getting out of hand. We served all our meals family style and Scouts served as waiters. Waiters arrive before the meal to set the table, serve the food during the meal, serve their table during the meal, and…
Tomahawk throwing for Scouts? Really? I was a little wary about the whole idea (you should be too!) so I checked the Guide to Safe Scouting just to be sure and here is what I found: Archery and Knife and Tomahawk Throwing These are approved activities for Boy Scouts and Venturers following the Sweet 16…
This edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast features a discussion of numbers and breakthroughs, and answers to email questions concerning training, assistant Scoutmasters sitting on boards of review, discipline problems with Scouts and what to do if it's time to change troops.
Someone asked me how long, on average, does it take to be a First Class Scout? We know statistically Scouts who become First Class within the first year tend to stay in Scouting longer. I am pleased when Scouts advance because that's one indicator that we are delivering on the promise, but it's only one…
Where do you go find answers to Cub Leader questions? During the years I spent as a Cubmaster and Webelos Den Leader formal training sessions helped , but the most valuable advice I received at the time came from those long talks in the parking lot with folks who had been there and done that.
Whenever two or three Scouters get together talk eventually turns to the relevance of Scouting in ‘modern society’. Some think we’ve diminished the ideals of ‘manliness’ , traditional patriotism, bootstrap initiative, competitiveness and rigor in achievement but have they really examined what those ideas actually mean?
Whenever two or three Scouters get together talk eventually turns to the relevance of Scouting in ‘modern society'. Some think we've diminished the ideals of 'manliness' , traditional patriotism, bootstrap initiative, competitiveness and rigor in achievement but have they really examined what those ideas actually mean?
Our latest ScoutCircle presentation featured Derek Hansen, Scoutmaster and hammock camping guru. If you are curious about hammocks and how Scouts can use them take the time to watch the presentation. Derek is a great speaker and shares all of the basics in this presentation; here's the resources mentioned: Hammock Forums Derek's website The Ultimate…
This edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast features a discussion of the new youth membership standard ( see this post for more information) and some thoughts on training and mentoring Scouts. Derek Hansen joined us on Scoutcircle.org for this great presentation on hammock camping.
Join us at ScoutCircle.org Sunday, September 8th 9-10PM EST to discuss hammock camping with our guest Derek Hansen the author of ‘The Ultimate Hang'. ScoutCircle is a live presentation followed by a live question and answer period. Be sure to tune in!
With apologies to my past and future tent mates I offer this slightly risque, yet truly funny infographic from the Adventure Journal via Walter Underwood
With apologies to my past and future tent mates I offer this slightly risque, yet truly funny infographic from the Adventure Journal via Walter Underwood What is that anyway?
Over the past thirty years of camping I've owned or used several different pump-type filters and tried different chemical purification options. Each has their merits and drawbacks. Pump-type filters have been prone to mechanical failure, tricky to use, prone to clogging and slow to use.
The BSA has recently released their initial implementation resources addressing the change to membership standards voted on at this year's annual meeting. Membership Standards Implementation Resources Upon approval of the membership standards resolution in May of 2013, the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America began reviewing its policies and guidelines through the combined…
Information educates the mind, experience develops skill. Too much information can be paralyzing. We live in the information age. Our Scouts get plenty of information, much more than they can do anything with. What they really need is experience. Scouting is an educational movement, but it's not educational in the traditional sense.
This edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast features our fourth installment of 'The Colorado Experiment" tracking the progress of a new Scoutmaster and new troop, and your messages in the mailbag. We started tracking the Colorado Experiment in Podcast 165 . Other installments in the series; Podcast 169 , Podcast 174 .
The bottle sling knot has been around for centuries. This ancient method of forming a sling for the neck of a jug or bottle this knot was described in detail by the Greek physician Heraklas in his first century book on surgical knots and slings.
This tip comes from Field & Stream Magazine via Pinterest: Use straws to store salt, pepper, and spices for camping trips. Heat one end of a clear plastic straw with a lighter, then crimp it with your fingers or a multitool.
UDAP, the folks that make pepper spray for fending off bears, also offer (of all things) an electric fence as an alternative to hanging food in bear country. Powered by 4 D -cell and 4 AA batteries the fence packs a 7600 volt punch into a 9 pound package.
Organizations that do nothing but measure the numbers rarely create breakthroughs. Merely better numbers. Seth Godin via Seth's Blog: Colors or numbers? One responsibility of every Scouter is keeping track of numbers. We track advancement, participation, membership, and fundraising numbers at the individual, unit, district, council, regional, and national levels because these numbers are indicators…
Later today I'll be recording a video ‘show and tell' with the folks at Cool Tools discussing some cool camping gear that I have used this summer. Cool Tools started in 2000 as an email list, and has been a blog since 2003.
Here's my latest overview of the endless permutations of the humble patrol box, chuck box, or camp kitchen. We use the Rubbermaid ActionPacker to house our modest patrol cook kits. I know some of you don't care for car camping or big patrol boxes.
This edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast features your reports on summer High Adventure trips, a word on an important resource every Scouter ought to read, and your messages in the mailbag. Guide to Advancement 2013 PDF Version Guide to Advancement 2013 Print Version (check to be sure you are getting the 2013 version) Scoutmaster Podcast…
Here's a series of five videos featuring camping guru Cliff Jacobson talking about the nuts and bolts of canoe camping courtesy of the folks at Morral River FIlms A respected outdoors writer and wilderness guide Cliff is the most published canoeing/camping writer of this century.Cliff is the author of Expedition Canoeing , Camping's Top Secrets and…
I don't think my friend Berk really cared too much about what other people had to say about the ceremonial campfires he built at our Scout camp (and they were some impressive campfires). What he cared about was what he thought of them.
One of my old Scouts through-hiked the Appalachian trail a few years ago. He joined us for a camping trip afterwards and showed us the camping hammock he had used for his hike, I was impressed. I bought a Hennessy Hammock (the deluxe explorer) and used it on several occasions.
The view from our campsite on Lake Hogan It's time for show and tell! What high adventure trip did your Scouts participate in this summer? ( I am sure the Jamboree was great, but I am looking for reports on wilderness treks) Where did you go?
What's a good test of any insect repellent? How about 25 Scouts canoeing their way through a buggy week in Ontario, Canada's Algonquin provincial park? In mid August we don't usually run into too many mosquitoes and the black fly season is long over.
This edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast features email questions on cell phones (yes, once again, cell phones!), the patrol system and your messages in the mailbag. Mike Frame's Summer Camp and High Adventure Site Scoutmaster Podcast 183
Boy Scout neckerchiefs have been with us since Baden Powell published Scouting for Boys : The Scout Uniform is very like the uniform worn by my men when I commanded the South African Constabulary. They knew what was comfortable, serviceable, and a good protection against the weather.
Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others…for the countless unknown souls with whose fate…
