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Three new awards for recognizing scouts that really get outdoors are available this summer. Or, I guess you could say it's seven awards. The National Outdoor Badges recognize a scout's expertise and participation in five categories: Camping, Hiking, Aquatics, Riding, and Adventure.
Preparation, perseverence, and perspiration pay off! At 13,167 feet, the top of Cloud Peak offers a breathtaking view in all directions of the Big Horn mountains and lands far off in the distance. The climb up took almost six hours.
Weather changes rapidly in the mountains. Having your raingear fast at hand is a critical bit of planning for wilderness treks to prevent soggy clothes and cold bodies. On this day, we arrived at our campsite just before big, black clouds rolled over the high peaks above us.
Two weeks and 80 miles of backpacking gets me back home where I started. I returned home with the second crew last night. Both treks were great experiences with their own challenges and rewards. One group made it to the top of Cloud Peak, the other was thwarted by lightning and hail.
The great wilderness trek of 2010 begins bright and early tomorrow morning. We'll be missing Jambo, but we have two crews of scouts exploring the Cloud Peak Wilderness of the Bighorn Mountains west of Buffalo, WY. The two crew leaders made their routes, menus, gear lists, and duty rosters.
To all you scouts and scouters heading to the Jamboree - HAVE FUN! Scout On
Our week at Many Point summer camp was great! We had 46 scouts enjoy an amazing week of sun, wind, and one night of storms. On Tuesday night, we were evacuated to the storm shelter for a couple hours. It was quite an event.
When teaching Outdoor Leadership Skills for new scoutmasters, I try to drive home the Buddy System. I often say that I've not heard of TWO scout getting lost, it's always ONE that gets in trouble. Now, I can't say that any more.
I'll be taking two crews into the Cloud Peak wilderness of Wyoming this summer to experience some changes in attitude brought on by changes in altitude. To prepare, the scouts have made a schedule of practice hikes and the two crew leaders have agreed on a minimum participation expected of each scout.
In our troop, we've recently had one patrol earn the National Honor Patrol award. The small star patch stands out nicely next to their patrol emblem and I get the impression they are quite proud of their accomplishment. Since they earned it, a few other patrols have been motivated and started on their 3-month effort…
Minimizing our impact in the wilds should be a goal of each scout whether at scout camp, on a high adventure, or a short hike. The Leave No Trace outdoor ethics are seven principles by which we can help direct our actions.
Did you know handmade alcohol stoves are against BSA policy? Did you know it is against BSA policy for your OA chapter to use handcrafted smudge pots? Did you know that huge closing bonfire at summer camp that springs to life quickly because of the liquid fuel 'starter' is against BSA policy?
We all know there is an oil spill in the Gulf. We all know it is still not plugged. It's been a month and it's no longer such big news, but more of an ongoing problem. It's sad how we get used to something so quickly.
Next year will be the 22nd World Scout Jamboree and will be held in Rinkaby, Sweden. But, do you know where the 23rd and 24th Jambos will be held? In 2015, the 23rd World Scout Jamboree is scheduled for Kirarahama, Japan.
The next time you are at church, or chatting with friends, or right now at work, ask a few people individually what they think of when you say "Boy Scouts". Then ask them how have they interacted with scouts - that is, when have they ever talked to, worked with, or engaged a scout?
You can purchase Lord Baden-Powell's scout hat tomorrow only. It's being auctioned in England. Something nice to go with that Centennial dollar you bought last month. Click Here Sure wish the dude would stop rubbing the hat so much if he's expecting someone to buy it. :-) Scout On
Another Eagle was recognized last month. I took his fire piston gift along on spring break so I'd get some more whittling done on it. When I got home, it was nowhere to be found. Oh great, it's sitting someplace between here and Switzerland!
I've been offering Red Cross CPR and First Aid training to scout groups for the past four years. I figured it would be a good way to improve my skills and knowledge, make outings safer, and save the units some money since other people were charging a lot for the training.
It shouldn't be too hard to find a Scoutmaster Minute in this story from Idaho. I lived on the Salmon River for a few years as a little kid and this kind of spirit of taking care of yourself and not expecting a handout is what every scout, pioneer, explorer, and adventurer needs to survive.
Since 2002, our troop has been gradually growing - from around 20 to 55 scouts. Throughout each year, some drop along the way, some age out, and then each spring we get an influx of new scouts. Pretty typical. This year, 30 Webelos chose to join the troop - about double the average for the past few…
I hit the ground running when we returned from spring break in Switzerland and haven't put any time into posting here. But, there's lots to share: massive new group of scouts great campout OA ceremonies more Eagle scout projects and ceremonies training, training, training more merit badges sumemr camp prep I'll get to those over…
The official info is Finally available on Scouting.org page - let's do this thing already! The final completion date is still December 31, 2010. The page above has links to online info and requirements for each badge. Scout On
We're having our first multiple-Eagle ceremony this afternoon. These three guys in the Sharks patrol have been together since Tiger Cubs and have all earned Eagle over the past six months, so they decided to combine their ceremonies. They've got another patrolmate who's involved in theater for their MC and they have a theme of…
Just like waiting to get tickets for the big game, I was sitting here on my computer in line at 11:00am Central time for the USMint.gov to open the doors to the BSA commemorative coin vaults. Right at 11:00am, the site came to a screeching stand-still.
Just as the scouts learn outdoor skills, leadership skills, and life skills as they experience the adventure of scouting, Scoutmasters keep learning as they spend time in their "job". Attrition has always been one of my personal concerns and each year I try to improve the troop's retention ratio.
Do you recall the post at Scouting Magazine that got everyone excited about the Historic Merit Badge program? Carpentry, Signaling, Tracking, and Pathfinding merit badges are being resurrected for 2010 only as a part of the centennial celebration - a great idea!
Wahoo! We're going camping tomorrow! There's still almost a foot of snow in most places, but the continual rain and above freezing temps the past few days have melted to grass in some places. That's spring as far as I'm concerned.
A couple guys at Baylor are getting almost $1,000,000 to find out. In two years, we'll hear if Scouting makes a difference in mens' lives and if Eagle Scout rank matters or not. Sounds like a fun job!
I've been thinking about it, and I have a concern with this new requirement #6 for Life rank: While a Star Scout, use the EDGE method to teach a younger Scout the skills from ONE of the following six choices, so that he is prepared to pass those requirements to his unit leader's satisfaction.
Philmont and Northern Tier require Wilderness First Aid certification in each crew. The American Red Cross has offered a course for this certification for a few years, developed by an ARC chapter in North Carolina. This spring, an entirely new, national ARC course titled Wilderness and Remote First Aid takes its place.
Driving to church with the family this morning with an uncharacteristic amount of extra time to get there. A couple blocks ahead, in the right turn lane onto the freeway from the 4-lane road we are on, there's an SUV sitting there with its emergency blinkers going, blocking access to the freeway.
I'm not really an advocate of pushing fast advancement on new scouts, but it's important to have opportunities for advancement available so those that participate are not held back from moving ahead. Not much worse than a scout not getting to forge ahead when he's chomping at the bit.
I've just finished updating the program guide our troop's Troop Guides use to help new scouts reach First Class. I added Leave No Trace and Water Safety, as well as an emphasis on EDGE. I also updated for the 2010 requirement changes.
While redoing our Troop Guide guide with the 2010 advancement requirements, I noticed the Second Class cooking requirement (3g) no longer says "over an open fire". The Second Class rank does have a requirement (3f) to build a fire, but the fire does not need to be actually lit.
Tomorrow is Scout Sunday - the first Sunday before February 8. This is a great opportunity to recognize the 'reverent' point of scouting. Our troop is serving at the church where we've met for the past 12 years. Scouts won't have any role in the service but will be helping with refreshments, coffee, and such after…
How are electronics handled in your troop, pack, or crew? Are they banned, allowed only at certain times, or permitted? just scouts, or adults too? All electronics, including GPS, flashlights, watches? A specific list of devices that are illegal? I noticed quite a bit of online discussion about electronic devices on scout outings over the…
A Tenderfoot has been trying to find time to complete his Second Class 5-mile hike requirement since September. With his involvement in sports, poor weather, and whatnot, we finally got it done yesterday. None of his buddies needed the requirement and he couldn't get any to join him, so it was him, his dad, and…
Four old-time merit badges are being resurrected for the BSA Centennial celebration. In 2010 ONLY, scouts can earn Carpentry, Pathfinding, Signaling, and Tracking - the last three being dormant since the 1950s! Of all the planned hoopla, I think this is about the coolest - not many scouts will be able to show off these few patches.
The troop did a real cool thing last night, taking advantage of a great sale at the scout shop. Using TroopKit.com as our event and meeting planner, the SPL set up a Moccasin Making Meeting . Scouts signed up for the moccasin size they wanted to make.
Eleven scouters and two scouts got certified in in my WFAB session yesterday. WFAB = Wilderness First Aid Basics training from the Red Cross. That will help make 2010 a little safer around here, at least. The two scouts were guys in our troop so I'm happy they've increased their skill level a bit more.
Now that the boys are older, Christmas morning doesn't come so fast around here so I'm just waiting for people to wake up while I check the weather. The big news around here is the snow and we're supposed to be visiting relatives soon, so I want to travel at the safest time.
Cub Scouts 2010 - if you're a Cub Scout leader, you really should check this out. It is a new step in the evolution of the Cub Scouting program that's been tested the last few years, resulting in huge increases in retention of scouts.
Why don't we have a sewing merit badge? There should be a skateboarding merit badge. When will we have a hunting merit badge? Have you ever had or heard similar questions? Well, BSA has posted an email address where you can start the process of creating a new merit badge.
Our lottery submission for a 2011 Philmont trek wasn't a winner. :-( Got a rejection email yesterday, saying we're on the waitlist, so it's a gloomy day. We had two crews worth of people ready to go. I hope some of you had better luck - let me know.
Tune in tonight to audiocast.scouting.org and listen to the 100th anniversary Kick-off Rally at: 8-8:30 p.m. (EST) 7-7:30 p.m. (CST) 6-6:30 p.m. (MST) 5-5:30 p.m. (PST) I'll be listening in with you to hear Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca, National President John Gottschalk, and National Commissioner Tico Perez.
So, have you seen it? How was it? Scout Camp the movie - from the trailer and videos looks like an interesing comedy about Boy Scout summer camp - another angle on the usual "underdog group vs. popular group" theme. There's a music video on YouTube with scenes from the show.
Due to the comments contributed to my previous post, I'm curious what people mean when they say "Eagle Factory". So, what is it? I could find just a couple troops that refer to themselves as eagle factories on the 'net, with the general meaning that they have a focus of 'directing' scouts to eagle rank.
On December 11, 2008, my son completed his Eagle Board of Review. Oh, happy day! At that time, he was a little concerned that his paperwork would get done too soon and he would receive a congratulation letter from the current president rather than the incoming president.
Picked the November give-away winners yesterday. Max H. of Troop 248 in Oakdale, PA won a Fire Piston . Chris L. of Troop 265 in Bartlett, TN won a $25 ScoutStuff.org gift card. Bill S. of Pack 671 in St. Louis, MO won a $50 coupon for ClassB.com Enter on BoyScoutTrail.com for the December give-aways.
The BSA PR folks asked me to spread the word about this, so here you go... Clear your calendar for Dec. 10. That evening you'll want to cozy up to your computer for the National 100th Anniversary Kick-Off Rally. If you aren't already pumped up for 2010's yearlong celebration of Scouting, this 30-minute live audiocast…
