The Bloggers
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In an earlier post , I reported on a poll and discussion of how the eight methods of Scouting are applied in our troop. We followed that up with a poll during the youth leadership training. It was great for discussion in that setting, and there were some interestingly different views on how our troop is…
In an earlier post , I reported on a poll and discussion of how the eight methods of Scouting are applied in our troop. We followed that up with a poll during the youth leadership training. It was great for discussion in that setting, and there were some interestingly different views on how our troop is…
The Wilderness Medical Society published an article concerning Wilderness Communications authored by Gordon H. Worley. The article explains the technology behind wilderness communications, emergency communication, radio communications, satellite communications, casualty evacuation and helicopter evacuations. Anyone venturing past reliable cell phone range would do well to read the article and gain some understanding of current technology…
Good advice about how to wash down sleeping bags at Tom Managan's Hike Hacker: … don't wash the bag a lot, but do launder it at the end of the season before long-term storage, or after your annual two-week backpacking trip.
Scout leaders are constantly called on to resolve conflicts, make decisions and provide direction. We do these things better when we are able to be calm, non-judgmental and unbiased. I can be easily upset and that leads to getting upset about being upset and that leads to being reactive, judgmental and unpleasant.
Interview with ShelterBox Scouting coordinator Mark Dyer and Scoutmaster and ShelterBox ambassador Doug Metz. ShelterBox and the BSA Doug's blog A Scouter's Journey A ShelterBox Story Subscribe to the Scoutmaster Newsletter Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Podcast Music
EDITOR"S NOTE: Doug Metz is a reader/listener who's story about ShelterBox is a great example of Scouters serving the wider community – he'll be featured on Podcast 87 along with Mark Dyer Shelterbox Scout's program director. Last summer my son and I visited Fort AP Hill for the 2010 National Jamboree.
Author David Dobbs' article in the October 2011 edition of National Geographic Teenage Brains is a must read for Scout leaders. Within the past decade brain scan studies established that the process of brain development lasted far longer than previously thought.
A hurricane of historic proportions passed through our community and the way people responded is an interesting study of human nature assessing and managing risk. A friend of ours is a officer for a local township. On the day before the hurricane was forecast to hit our area he was called to a nearby grocery…
If we want to end bullying we need to understand it. Author Steve Almond found the boy that bullied him in eighth grade and asked him why. Their conversation helped me appreciate the complexity of bullying from the unusual point of view ; that of the bully; Sean Lynden (the bully): " One other thing I should…
When Scouts are not advancing in rank they may be disinterested, stalled or afraid. THE REASON They aren't interested in advancement. WHAT'S HAPPENING When we're preoccupied with that list of stuff Scouts need to do to advance (the requirements) we've put the cart before the horse.
EDITORS NOTE: This is an excellent example of carpe minutea or ‘seizing the minute' from contributor Larry Gieger . It also gives us all a look into the thought processes and keen observational skills of a veteran Scouter. What are you seeing when you are out camping with your Scouts?
Interview with Peter LeRoux from South Africa author of the Ropes and Poles blog and group Scout leader. Subscribe to the Scoutmaster Newsletter Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Podcast Music Eureka and Coleman Tents On Sale at Campmor!
Here's the PowerPoint presentation I use at troop leader training. Please feel free to use and adapt it as you see fit (you do not have to credit me.) Here's the article explaining the concept Before this session, I call the older guys who have seen this before off to the side and ask them…
A recent study links simple ‘green time' (time spent outdoors in nature; and for the purposes of this particular study expansive green fields or lawns) to milder symptoms for children with Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADD, ADHD).
A recent study links simple ‘green time’ (time spent outdoors in nature; and for the purposes of this particular study expansive green fields or lawns) to milder symptoms for children with Attention Deficit and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADD, ADHD).
The Scoutmaster's minute is a tradition for sharing a thought or idea at every troop meeting. There are books and websites replete with lots and lots of minutes ( here's mine ) but I have never really used them all that much.
Steven C. Karoly is a retired Seabee Cook who blogs at Round the Chuckbox . I eagerly followed a series of eight of Steve's recent posts on the ‘Code of the Campfire'. They are a combination of practical advice and old fashioned good manners.
Is there really a job description for Scout youth leaders? Every First Class Scout is a leader by definition. Three requirements for advancement are common to every rank after First Class: 1. Merit Badges 2. Service to the community 3.
Interview with BSA Regional Vice President Hab Butler chairman of the Journey to Excellence task force. Hab's email; butlerha AT epix DOT net Subscribe to the Scoutmaster Newsletter Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Podcast Music Eureka and Coleman Tents On Sale at…
Taking notice a few books – new and some now published in Kindle format. I have a Kindle reader (free) on my computer that enables me to read Kindle books without having the actual Kindle device. Here's a new book aimed at parents of Boy Scouts (no Cub Scout information): Beginning Boy Scouts From a press…
This has to be one of the more interesting climbs in North America; sort of gives me the chills.
The penny drops, the light comes on, eureka!, discovery, enlightenment, revelation. If we watch carefully Scout leaders sometimes get to witness a marvelous happening; when some part of the world opens up for one of our Scouts. Have you seen this happen?
This article at the Atlantic got me to thinking about what people don't understand about the work of being a Scout leader. (I am not really interested in what you think of the article. You can comment to the author on their website if you like – let's not discuss the article here please.)
Volunteer Scouters often have to explain themselves and dispel persistent misconceptions. Here’s a few things I think people who don’t volunteer don’t get: 1. I have already heard all of the jokes and impolite innuendos about Scouting and Scouters. I have a pretty good sense of humor, but how about you think a little more…
Troop Leadership Summit, How (not) to Kill a Troop, Flight 93 Chad Fisher's Varsity Scouting Blog Subscribe to the Scoutmaster Newsletter Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Podcast Music Eureka and Coleman Tents On Sale at Campmor!
In a partnership with Discovery Channel UK the Scouts association published this list of 14 things for young people to do before they are 14: 1. Navigate using a map 2. Climb a tree 3. Make and fly a kite 4.
Ten years ago a few days after the events of September 11th had spread their cloud of confusion, fear, uncertainty, and unthinkable suffering our Scouts all came to their regularly scheduled Troop meeting. As they gathered to close that meeting I was searching for words that could express what I was feeling at the time.
Wildfires continue to burn out of control in Central Texas – from USA Today : "Texas is in the midst of its worst wildfire outbreak in state history. The Bastrop-area fire has been the largest of nearly 190 wildfires the forest service says erupted this week, leaving nearly 1,700 homes statewide in charred ruins, killing four people…
Judith Bruner was the love of my life in second grade. Miss Bruner was a young, idealistic new teacher who played guitar. In 1968 she taught me how to play chess. I will never forget her for it. I was on our high school chess team and played a great deal during those years.
The Clymb is a retailer featuring deep discounts on outdoor gear and apparel. (You do have to register with them to see the sale items on offer. They do this so the sale items aren't linked to search engines because the items are only available for three or four days.)
Hikelight.com is has a wealth of advice for trimming down your backpack weight. Steve Green (no relation) explains ultralight backpacking in 80+ videos – here's an introduction to how ultralight backpacking works: The website is home to the Only The Lightest Camping Equipment mail order store.
Clarke regularly has postings that are more philosophical in nature. Recently he had a post ( The Big Picture in Scouting ) that got me thinking about something sort of philosophical rather than the regular practical stuff. That's kind of scary but here goes.
Once-in-a-lifetime Adventures; an interview with Mike Malone and David B. from troop 466 in Sunnyvale California about their incredible troop adventures. Chisholm Trail Adventure in Scouting Magazine Lewis and Clark Adventure local TV coverage Civil War Adventure in Leesburg Magazine Subscribe to the Scoutmaster Newsletter Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at…
Our central work, our focus, as Scout leaders is to create opportunities for Scouting: to create chances, approaches and advantages : OPPORTUNITY: A combination of circumstances favorable for the purpose; a good chance or occasion to advance oneself. Favorable circumstances: an opening, event, probability, possibility.
Scout leader training tends to focus on the practical and, I fear, often misses the big picture. Most of the questions and comments I receive are about action oriented, practical matters. More often than not problems arise because people have missed the big picture rather than their lack of knowledge of some procedural process.
Calling Andrew Skurka a long distance backpacker isn't really fair – how about incredibly, unthinkably long distance backpacker? Andrew caught the bug for backpacking after completing his first (and probably shortest) long distance hike of the Appalachian trail. He tells it better than I in the talk above: an inspiring and fascinating story.
Getting scouts to listen to youth leaders and should I delegate Scoutmaster conferences? Subscribe to the Scoutmaster Newsletter Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Podcast Music Eureka and Coleman Tents On Sale at Campmor!
As of this morning hurricane Irene is barreling down on us east coast folks and, if the forecast holds, will come through our area as a category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of nearly 100 miles an hour. We're bracing for a fairly long power outage for us; perhaps several days.
This post introduces a new contributor to Scoutmastercg.com; Walter Underwood. You can learn more about Walter by reading his profile . I really like the idea of a regular, brief and focused discussion amongst the adult leadership to air any concerns or ideas; we'll be having one of these discussions in our troop pretty soon!
Back home from my summer travels! How do we handle discipline in Scouting? Subscribe to the Scoutmaster Newsletter Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Podcast Music Eureka and Coleman Tents On Sale at Campmor!
In offering this collection of yarns, I do not suggest that these are anything more than further illustrations of the steps already schemed in Scouting for Boys for self-education in character and good citizenship. But illustrations by themselves are of comparatively little value unless the theories and ideas conveyed by them are also put into…
Scouting is not an organization. Scouting is a movement. Scouting is also a philosophy. The philosophy drives the movement, the movement uses various organizations. An organization possesses and uses structure, resources and power. Organizations hire workers, issue policies, buy and sell products, build buildings.
Kandersteg is a picture postcard town in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland that is home to Kandersteg International Scout Center (KISC). Surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world KISC hosts thousands of visiting Scouts each summer.
From The Patrol System Published by Scouts Canada in 1960. Not a new idea, but a good one none-the-less. What would happen if you put this information in the hands of your patrol leaders? You want your gang to become a real Patrol-and only a hiking Patrol is a real one.
Hello Folks – arrived back home last night from three weeks of traveling and Scouting. There's plenty to write and talk about but I have to catch up with things around the house before I get back to a regular schedule.
Adults on Scout camping trips part 1, the Scoutmaster's role in merit badges. Subscribe to the Scoutmaster Newsletter Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Podcast Music Eureka and Coleman Tents On Sale at Campmor!
Every Scout parent struggles with letting go as their child grows up. From the Swedish Scouting is awesome! blog. Thoughts on how Scouting helps parents understand letting go so children can become adults: One of the aims of scouting is to make young people independent and self sufficiant.
From Rules of Thumb : The most successful teaching lessons last 22 minutes, the exact length of the average TV sit-com. - Steven M. Keisman, New York City high school resource coordinator
William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt is the man who wrote the book on Scouting, literally. His Patrol Leader's Handbook is, without a doubt, his best and most influential work. His understanding of scouting was simple, but not simplistic. Here he lays out the scoutmaster's job in a few sentences: "Let them lead in practically everything.
