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scoutstuffblog.org
Seasonal tips and product news from the national Scout Shop.
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First… uh-oh, itching. Then…surprise, a red rash. And finally… oh-boy, blisters. These symptoms of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac can start within a few hours or several days after exposure to the plant oil found in the sap of these poisonous plants.
August, 2014 Vol. 6, No. 8 ONE IN A MILLION EDITION A Million Philmont Campers Scouting by the Millions Millions of Cook Kits Future Numbers One million! That's a mighty big number, especially for celebrating high points of Scouting. Did you know that canoers setting off from BSA's Northern Tier High Adventure Base can explore…
With the wild weather phenomena we've been witnessing (and experiencing) recently, we think it's the perfect time to brush up on thunderstorm safety. Here's a great overview and checklist from the Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340185_Thunderstorm.pdf
As with every other Scouting activity, when it comes to sun safety, preparedness and risk prevention rule the day! Learn to recognize symptoms of heat stress long before a heat stroke becomes a possibility: Of course the only way to eliminate risk completely in the out-of-doors is to give up the pleasures, challenges, and satisfaction…
What's one of the most common forms of nonverbal communication used between two people? No, it's not the fist bump, high five, a hug or even a kiss. It's the handshake — a simple handshake involves extending one's hand ? typically the right hand ?
As the Welcome message on the greatoutdoorsmonth.org site says, it's all about celebrating the natural wonder and outdoor spirit of America . So with that being the goal, it's surprising BSA didn't come up with the idea for "Great Outdoors Month" first!
Keeping the Tradition Alive… On June 14, 1885, Bernard J. Cigrand, a teacher not even 20 years old, placed a 10″, 38-star flag in a bottle on his desk before assigning essays on the flag and its significance. This simple yet profound observance commemorated Congress' adoption of the "Stars and Stripes" as the official flag…
June, 2014 Vol. 6, No. 6 STEWARDSHIP EDITION A Conservation Good Turn The Outdoor Code Conservation Caravan Explorers BSA's Conservation Awards Conservation Handbook Scouting's Environmental Promise A CONSERVATION GOOD TURN Sixty years ago, the cover of the March, 1954, Boys' Life magazine showed a Scout putting up a poster promoting conservation of soil, water, and…
Facing a rainy Monday in June? Well, turn off the TV and embark on a heart-pounding adventure with brother-and-sister sleuths encountering wildlife and wild circumstances in America's National Parks. Have a summer campout on the horizon? Whether it's backyard or backcountry, make it a breeze… and a blast!
May, 2014 Vol. 6, No. 5 HIGH SPEED EDITION Scout's Pace Ranger Marathon Speed Knots BSA Racing From dusty backcountry trails to the Indianapolis 500, there's speed out there, and Scouts are enjoying it all. How fast are you? It depends on how you achieve maximum velocity, starting with the Scout's Pace, one of Scouting's…
Are you already an avid scrapbooker? Or maybe just beginning to think of ways to document and celebrate your Scouting experience, or someone else's? Well, while we agree that a scrapbook is essential for capturing the meaning and feeling of highpoints on the Scouting path, there's a whole world of fun Scouting ways to make…
Here's a bright-spot occasion to cheer up tax time in April. NATIONAL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY on April 20 is when we get to say "Thank You" to the life-blood of BSA… the hard-working, endlessly dedicated volunteers who make Scouting happen for our youth.
A rite of spring… as the camp gear gets aired and repaired anticipating the season's first campout, one of a Scout's most reliable tools might just get a bit of Scotch tape. Tattered as it may be, the BSA® Fieldbook remains a constant and trusted companion wherever the trail leads.
Take our "Survival of the Fittest" Campout Cookout Challenge When it comes to learning how to eat well, exploring doesn't have to be boring! With planning for spring campouts happening right at the heart of Nutrition Month, how about including an Eat Clean Campout Cookoff on one of your outing's agendas?
Are those real Boy Scouts?" Have you ever wondered if the Scouts featured in BSA mailers are "real" Scouts, or models? When it comes to our new 2014 Spring mailer (headed to your mailbox soon), the answer is "Yes, they're real!"
David Harkins, Associate Director, Retail Business Development/Licensing The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) sells products to support the Scouting program in Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org . Some of these products are "official merchandise," meaning the BSA has developed these products specifically to sell to Scouts and Scouters, while other products may be purchased from…
It's that time again! Councils around the nation are gearing up for Scouting for Food drives and service projects to support local food banks and pantries. Scouts, in a hands-on effort to fight hunger within their own communities, partner with their neighbors to make a real impact close to home.
The Boy Scouts of America annually celebrates its founding on February 8, 1910, based on the program started by Lord Baden Powell in England on August 1, 1907. Scout Sunday was subsequently added to the celebration in the mid-1940s. Scout Sunday is always the Sunday preceding February 8th, unless the 8th is a Sunday, in…
It's easier than you think to send Scouting support worldwide. Since BSA's World Friendship Fund was created at the end of World War II, more than $11 million has been donated by American Scouts and leaders eager to support worldwide Scouting in a personal way.
With Martin Luther King, Jr. Day here and African-American History Month fast approaching, it inspires some fascinating "Did You Know?" info. Today's African-American Scouts and Scouters have a profound impact in communities throughout the United States and at every level of Scouting and, yes, they include beloved icons and dignitaries among their numbers (we'll get…
You want me to do what?! Sleeping outside when it's 40 degrees (or below) can sound like an invitation to days of unrelenting discomfort, but perhaps it can be something more. For generations, Boy Scouts have known how to weather the winter months with style, and it only takes some specific know-how to make this…
If you're new to the raceway this year, consider what it would mean if there was one day designed to take Pinewood Derby novices from timid to intrepid in no time! And if you're a veteran of the PWD track , this is your day to refine your design, boost your building supplies, and check out…
Ever wonder how the BSA's Universal Emblem came about? Every Scout knows what the image evokes within him or her, but learning the emblem's history takes its meaning that much deeper. The Vision -At the very inception of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell had already envisioned the fleur-de-lis as part of his vision for a Scout badge…
Santa Scout Shop event is exclusive to participating National Scout Shops. December 7 only! *Patches will be available while quantities last, so come early! Cub Scouts must be accompanie d by an adult. Stocking giveaway offer is valid during this one-day event only.
It's commonly known that, as Scouts, we rely on Boys' Life® to get the top news in Scouting and have fun doing it. But come the holiday season, BL really knows how to amp the fun factor. Their annual Holiday Gift Guide brings you the latest on what's hot and happening on the toy scene…
Two birds. One stone. These activities can keep younger family members happy and occupied while the kitchen's at its busiest this holiday season. The kids get to contribute to the family meal in a uniquely Scout-y way and they'll learn something in the process as well!
You may know them as Ambassadors of Fun or Trick-Shot Tacticians, but when it comes to inspiring audiences and leaving them with huge smiles on their faces, these guys have truly got game! If you haven't heard of them yet, the Dude Perfect Crew uses crazily creative basketball and football shots and their contagious Go…
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If you're a fan of the Bryan on Scouting Blog like we are, you may have already seen his post about the 100-year anniversary of the partnership between the Boy Scouts of America and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Not long ago, recording artist, songwriter, and entrepreneur wil.i.am (of The Black-Eyed Peas) teamed up with inventor Dean Kamen to make sure STEM (the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) becomes a household name through wider news coverage and the i.am FIRST: Science is Rock and Roll primetime TV special.
All The Gifts of Scouting" delivers 70+ new Scout-inspired gift ideas. If you have active Scouts or Scouters in your life then you know the effect the prospect of "new gear" has. The reactions can call to mind Tim Allen's manly "Tool Time" grunt.
Do you or your Scout have a BSA patch collection you'd like to add to and enhance? Perhaps it's one that's been a might neglected of late and could use some nurturing. Or maybe it's the collection you've always wanted to start… Well there's never been a better time to get inspired, because it's pretty…
Not sure where to start? Go to www.bsauniforms.org Scout moms – let us know you're out there! Tell us how you made the entry into Scouting work for you and your family. Scout mom Lynda Harris had this to say: "When my son became a Cub Scout many years ago and I found myself standing in…
Well it's a safe bet to say that if participants from the 2013 National Scout Jamboree had to write a "What I did this summer…" essay, they'd blow it out of the water. Their time at The Summit's just a memory now, but it's a memory of the chock-full-of-thrills variety that will remain crystal clear…
It's no surprise that Jambo '13 attendees have a lot to share. Waking up to world-class adventure every day, they're hot to share every thrilling moment. So whether they're postin' pics, tweeting, texting, or eblasting… they've discovered the value of the reliable charge.
Before Scouts can drink in every ounce of summer adventure, they have to put a hurt on thirst. It's West Virginia and we're having a HEAT WAVE. It seems that Jamboree is issuing a Be Prepared challenge to all its participants… in the forms of beating the heat and staying hydrated.
If this is Wednesday, it must be "Jambo-Laya" Night! Attention Jamboree 2013 Participants! We know you're going to be pushin' it , draining this historic event of every last drop of adventure, so we plan to provide the fuel to keep you going all ten days!
You don't have to wander far down Scouting's path before you realize you're onto something big. And its inspiration takes as many forms as there are Scouts. Here, during Fourth of July week, when patriotism is at a premium and blasts of American pride are all around… it's a great time to take inspiration from…
When your Scout or Scouter leaves home for the inaugural Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, they'll be ready for high adventure. But will they miss some of the creature comforts of home? If so, here's the answer: The Jambox, a BSA Survival Pack.
Most Jamboree participants are probably packing the official 2013 Jamboree Duffels they received in the mail, right? Looks pretty cool, right? It is – all 110L of it. Not sure what to pack? Here's a list, with some suggested ScoutStuff gear: Sleeping Bag (lightweight in stuff sack, with 30-degree rating would be ideal) dining kit (think…
Your newest BFF must be trustworthy. You know the United States Postal Services's unofficial motto: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." How did "…gloom of night …" make it on the list?
