The Bloggers
Showing 1,601–1,650 of 1,800 · page 33 of 36. Each title opens the post in a new tab.
President Barack Obama's Thanksgiving Day proclamation, as released by the White House: What began as a harvest celebration between European settlers and indigenous communities nearly four centuries ago has become our cherished tradition of Thanksgiving. This day's roots are intertwined with those of our nation, and its history traces the American narrative.
If we are to focus on the success of our Scouts what evidence do we have that they have achieved success? There are a few simple questions in the introduction to the Scout Handbook that serve as excellent benchmarks for success; Are you ready to become an expert hiker and camper, to explore the natural…
Scouting shares that paradoxical combination of simplicity and complexity found in a round of golf or a game of baseball. The goal is simple, the means direct, yet the process is complex. Scoutmastership, like properly swinging a golf club or baseball bat, takes a few minutes to learn and a lifetime to master.
Scouting shares that paradoxical combination of simplicity and complexity found in a round of golf or a game of baseball. The goal is simple, the means direct, yet the process is complex. Scoutmastership, like properly swinging a golf club or baseball bat, takes a few minutes to learn and a lifetime to master.
We sat on the snow and looked at the country far below us … we nibbled Kendal Mint Cake.' wrote Edmund Hillary recalling the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953. Another member of the expedition noted 'It was easily the most popular item on our high altitude ration – our only criticism was that we…
Fayette County West Virgina will be the new home of the B.S.A's newest high adventure-jamboree base. Supported by a 50 million dollar pledge from the Bechtel Foundation plans are to create a major destination for Scouts from all over the country.
Much is said by older generation about the inadequacies of the younger generation. So it goes. I cautiously concede that the ratio of controlled-programed activities and free play seems to be increasing. This may be that parents, teachers, coaches and scout leaders feel guilty of neglecting their charges if they do not supply them with…
On our backpacking trip this weekend we adults were reminiscing around the campfire. Three of six of us had either not been scouts or had been scouts only briefly. The two who had been scouts for a brief time said that they left Scouting because they were being hazed.
A reader asks: I would like to get your thoughts on how you evaluate Scout Spirit. Is it standard practice for a scoutmaster to ask a scout to write out what the scout's interpretation of Scout Spirit is? Each rank in Scouting requires that a scout "Demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise)…
So if worksheets are a lesser 'form' of Scouting what are the alternatives? Short answer: conversations, dialogues, counseling, mentoring, listening and a selective memory. Longer answer follows. Note that I may not be perfectly correct in my invocations of classical history or methods of communication but I have attempted to lay out some broad concepts…
Here's an exchange from Ask Andy : Hi Andy, I'm a relatively new Assistant Scoutmaster. I've been instructed that Scouts seeking ranks beyond First Class, in this troop, are required to complete a "Scoutmaster Conference Worksheet" before their actual conversation with the Scoutmaster, which they then submit for their board of review.
I don't think of myself as particularly a persnickety or doctrinaire so what follows is probably out of character. I do like to write therefore I strive to observe the rules of grammar and rely greatly on my spell checker.
From Scouting Magazine's 'What would You Do?' department (formerly called 'Front Line Stuff') a question about a recent troop leader election: We recently had our troop leadership elections, and the Scouts elected a senior patrol leader who is inexperienced, uncommitted, and has no real sense of responsibility.
Open the Eagle Scout Project Workbook (opens PDF file) and you will find about 2 1/2 half pages of instructions about conducting the project written in less than 1000 words (966 to be exact). Google the words "Eagle Scout Project" and you'll get about 1.4 million references.
CA Scouter comments: It would be interesting to hear your reflections on Scouts putting off Eagle til they're 17.5 years old and then trying to get their project and missing merit badges done in the small amount of time left.
So far we have determined that needless drama can be caused when a Scoutmaster seeks to impose his ideal vision of an Eagle Scout on the advancement process. In addition we have discovered Baden Powell founded Scouting on the idea that it would offer Scouts a way to challenge themselves towards achievement on an individual…
Scoutmasters need to understand what makes Scouting different from everything else - why young men and women have been Scouts all over the world for the past century. Scouting's founder Baden-Powell envisioned a movement that would give everyone the opportunity to challenge and achievement based not on a single standard of performance but on a highly…
During my tenure as Scoutmaster I have worked with 50 Scouts who have earned the rank of Eagle. Becoming an Eagle Scout is beset by difficulties and so should it be, it is supposed to be challenging. Unfortunately these normal difficulties are often compounded by totally unnecessary complications that we'll call drama.
From Leading Blog : I would hope by now you have had a chance to read through Fast Company co-founder Alan Webber's Rules of Thumb. He has compiled 52 practical and wise fundamentals of life well lived and work well done.
From As the Crow Flies I usually use the no wash method of cleaning up but sometimes I end up with a frying pan or dishes to wash. I never use soap because it takes a lot of water to rinse the soap off.
U.S. Historical Documents As a counselor for Citizenship in the Nation merit badge having the Constitution and Declaration of independence close at hand is helpful. (Note that there are free applications for both but they lack the note making and bookmarking capacities of this app.)
From the Leave No Trace website - earn a Bigfoot teeshirt (for $4.50) looks like it would be great fun and a good way to support LNT; From Traveling across the country for 10 years with Leave No Trace, we've come across some pretty interesting characters along the way.
Over a century volumes of guidance has been offered to Scoutmasters yet none is so effective as that of the founder of the worldwide Scouting movement Robert Baden-Powell A boy carries out suggestions more wholeheartedly when he understands their aim.
Crow at As The Crow Flies writes about her minimalist approach to a mess kit: A Vagabond's guide to kitchenware and dishwashing Whether you are on the road, trail or home this is a simple system for cooking and cleaning that will save you time and water: Cook dinner in pot Eat heartily, out of…
The better part of valor is discretion. Bravery (valor) is important but it may be that it is more important to avoid some situations rather than brave them. If, for some unlikely reason, I should find myself in the middle of the road I will not panic but bravely manage the situation as best I…
The Backpacker Checklist application allows you to build a virtual inventory of all your camping gear and construct trip-specific lists to aid your preparations for backpacking or any other sort of camping trip. Aimed at backpackers but not limited to backpacking trips users can create car camping or cabin camping lists.
Two Scout-related stories of the application of zero tolerance policies ( here and here ) have been making the rounds of late so I am taking the opportunity to comment on the concept of zero tolerance. 'Zero tolerance' became a familiar term in the 1990's as an outgrowth of a belief that the inflexible enforcement of minor…
Generosity is a paradoxical virtue. We sometimes hear a person described as generous to a fault. An overly-generous person can give away all they possess and no longer have the resources to perpetuate their generosity. Volunteering is a from of generosity that can threaten to bankrupt the virtue that creates it.
We compress a lot of administrative tasks into an annual parents meeting. At this meeting I make our annual Friends of Scouting appeal. Like most charities our Scout Council finances have plummeted in the current economic downturn so our FOS appeal is even more poignant than usual.
A recently published study from the University of Rochester asserts that Nature Makes Us More Caring "Stopping to experience our natural surroundings can have social as well as personal benefits," says Richard Ryan, coauthor and professor of psychology, psychiatry and education at the University of Rochester.
A tip from Crow at As The Crow Flies I put red reflective tape and bright flagging tape on small pieces of gear that would be easy to lose. Neither of them makes a recordable difference in weight. I got the red reflective tape at Walmart in the auto supply aisle.
Scouting magazine’s feature once called ‘Front Line Stuff’ has been renamed (I think) ‘What would you do?’ Here’s the current question; Many Scouts start and finish merit badge requirements in a reasonable amount of time, others do not. Often, at summer camp, boys begin badges but return home with partial completions.
Scouting magazine's feature once called 'Front Line Stuff' has been renamed (I think) 'What would you do?' Here's the current question; Many Scouts start and finish merit badge requirements in a reasonable amount of time, others do not. Often, at summer camp, boys begin badges but return home with partial completions.
The folks at Packit Gourmet offer some evidence of the indestructible nature of the humble tortilla . My favorite tortilla 'recipe' is peanut butter and jelly on a whole wheat tortilla for a quick, filling trail lunch. Tortillas are an incredibly versatile and easy-to-pack bread.
My old Mountainsmith Day lumbar pack that I bought used on eBay a few years ago has served me very well and it's time to replace it. I bought a newer, smaller Mountainsmith lumbar pack for my son to use a while back and I like the updated version even more than my older one.
Cammenga manufactures the familiar, often imitated M-1950 military lensatic compass issued to our soldiers for decades. They offer Scout Troops the free use of their compasses for up to two months and a generous discount should they elect to purchase the compass.
Oatmeal, again? Pop Tarts? Doughnuts? A good quick breakfast while canoeing or backpacking (or car camping for that matter) is as important as it is elusive. Bryan Hanse at the Nessmuking shares five simple yet nutritious ideas for a lightweight breakfasts: On my first paddling and camping trips, I often overlooked making a good breakfast…
One would rarely call my Troop a well oiled machine or a model of efficiency. That's the principle reason I love it so. A dear friend who was a very successful artist worked out of a studio that was best described as a hot mess.
Pocket Universe is the best (and least expensive) of several astronomy applications I have purchased. Pocket Universe has a simple to use yet a rich set of features. The planetarium-like display features a clear horizon, something other applications may lack causing a bit of confusion.
For years I always packed a portable CD player on car-camping trips with the Scouts (and on a couple of backpacking trips back in the dark ages when we carried 40-50 pound packs). I listened to music as I went to sleep and again in the mornings as I was waking up.
Patagonia makes some of the best outdoor clothing and gear available. I don't own much Patagonia because it is usually very expensive (and worth it). I buy Patagonia when I can justify the expense in part because they are an environmentally sensitive manufacturer.
T h e President's Council on Service and Civic Participation (the Council) was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President's Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment…
Boys ever delight in being occupied in something for the youthful blood does not allow them to be at rest. Now as this is very useful, it ought not to be restrained, but provision made that they may always have something to do.
Scoutmasters see a lot of adolescent angst in our role as Scouters and parents. We need all the help we can get You may recall the episode of the original Star Trek series entitled 'Amok Time'. It occurs to me that the story line has interesting parallels to how boys experience adolescence.
I've had my copy of the 12th Edition of the new Scout Handbook for a couple of weeks now and I recently added the Scout Handbook to my Ipod touch. I have also looked over the website bsahandbook.org . As the way we use and manipulate information changes I applaud the BSA in attempting to keep…
Here's an exchange from Ask Andy (an online column from a long-time Scouter and Unit Commissioner) about Eagle Projects. There's a couple of levels of information going on in this exchange. First of all Andy does a good job of clarifying what actual policy is regarding Eagle Projects.
Your Troop goes backpacking doesn't it? Backpacking is a definitive Scouting activity that requires stamina, skill, preparation yielding adventure and a great sense of accomplishment. What backpackers carry and why is a subject of endless fascination and study. Here's a couple of narratives from two Scouters as to what they choose to carry.
Life Scout Alex Griffith was born in the Siberian region of Russia. As an Eagle project Alex chose to build a playground at the orphanage in Russia where his foster parents adopted him. 634 people who contributed time, expertise, material or money (106 from Russia) 78 cities where help came from 23 states where help…
Sister Crow describes herself as a long distance hiker, hermit, primitive cabin dweller, seeker. Her blog As the Crow Flies chronicles her months hiking the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails and life in her backwoods cabin. I have been following her writing for a year or so.
Things that stand the test of time. like Scouting, begin with instinctive inspirations before they are explained scientifically. A growing field of psychotherapy recognizes the benefits derived from direct contact with the natural world. Traditional therapies look inward for answers while ecopsychotherapy allows answers to be derived from contact with the natural environment.
