No show tonight.
I was hoping to recover a little quicker, but frankly, I'm pretty tired. One of the boys is sick also, so it's making things worse around here. So I think it's best to postpone tonight's show. Enjoy your Labor Day!
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138 posts, oldest first.
I was hoping to recover a little quicker, but frankly, I'm pretty tired. One of the boys is sick also, so it's making things worse around here. So I think it's best to postpone tonight's show. Enjoy your Labor Day!
New York State Senator Andrew Lanza announced $200,000 in funding for the Boy Scouts of America to build a new state of the art cabin at William H. Pouch Scout Camp.
Several years ago a local Scout Troop ( I swear it wasn't us) suffered through a period of infamy they flipped several canoes while paddling in some heavy weather and had to be rescued. On this year's trip to Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada.
The photo for the September 2008 Den Meeting in a Box from BSA Supply Group is now available (above). Theme: New Buddies Link
Get a jump on October's Cub Scout theme of Adventures in Books by listening to this podcast, chockfull of tips for activities and actions to make the theme come alive for your boys! And we'll take an in depth look at peer-to-peer recruiting, one of the most effective ways to bring new youth into the…
National Service Project Results in $5 Million Dollars of Improvements to National Forests
Scout Search Is Under Way to find and contact every living Eagle Scout and register his achievements, past and present. If you know an Eagle Scout, please alert him about this important project. Read more . . .
Beginning with the 2008 Philmont hiking season, each crew is required to have at least one member who is certified in a 16-hour wilderness first aid course from a nationally recognized provider. Read more . . .
The following statement comes from a Council website. It seemed a timely thing to pass along. I found the picture above on the web. The name on the sign isn't important, we all need to read, understand and practice this policy: Boy Scouts of America policy prohibits Scouts from participating in political activities.
Tomorrow, I get the house to myself again! Now, I can really get some work done with both scouts off to high school and the wife teaching at school also. Start of school is a great time to remind scouts to practice their friendly , kind , cheerful , and brave skills by welcoming new boys they find…
All Cub Scouts are eligible to enter the 2008 “Say Yes to Reading!” contest from Boys’ Life magazine . There are three categories for boys entering: - 8 years old and younger - 9 and 10 years old - 11 years old and older To enter, the boy needs to write a one-page report of up to 500 words…
List of people requesting links updated
#52-Pack Outdoor Activities In today's show we talk about Pack camping and outdoor activities. We discuss planning, equipment, safety, adventure, awards and much more. Links: http://www.geocities.com/~Pack215/cubcamping.html http://pack160.home.comcast.net/~pack160/camping.htm http://www.scouting.org/CubScouts/Activities/Adults/camping.aspx http://www.wtsmith.com/rt/camping.html http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/issues/0403/d-outs.html http://www.scouting.org/CubScouts/resources/CSOutdoorActivityAward.aspx http://www.geocities.com/~Pack215/outdoor-activity-award.html The Sweet 16-http://www.scouting.org/healthandsafety/gss/gss09.aspx#a Age Appropriateness - http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/ageguides.pdf World Conservation - http://www.usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/worldcons.asp Tonight’s show sponsored by Badge Magic
Join the Department of Interior on Saturday, September 27, 2008 for National Public Lands Day as they celebrate the service of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts in the national parks.
Part of preparing to get our fall programs underway is tuning up the engine that motivates our Scouts and keeps the program moving. The simple promises made to every Scout are written in the front of the Scout Handbook. I've laid them out below with some tips for assuring your troop is pointed at "true…
With October's Adventures in Books theme, it may be a good month for your den or pack to make a field trip to your local library. Here is the October monthly theme patch. It is $1.19 from BSA National. Link
Jack Sinclair, the 15 year-old Scout from Australia, who is planning on riding his bike across Australia to raise money for Big Brothers and Big Sisters Australia has has already raised over $12,000!
Friday we had our first pack meeting since school started. We invited all of our prospects. We had 3 that joined, one brought back the application from our school'sMeet the teacher night. That is a little less than 20% rate of return on the parents that signed in that night.
In addition to reciting the Scout Oath, Scout Law, or the Outdoor code as an opening for their troop meetings, the patrol leader council of Troop 68 has looked toward other ways to start their meetings. One code that seemed to make its way into a meeting every month or two is a little thing…
Hiawathaland Council severs ties with the United Way of Delta County after being notified of a major reduction of funding.
Oh, happy day! I'm a Leave No Trace Master Educator and really believe the message of minimizing impact when experienceing the outdoors is an important one to distribute across scouting. Before the PLC meeting this week, I asked the SPL if he could try to find 3 scouts willing to present the seven Leave No…
As with all the Webelos activity badges, the best resources for Communicator are the Webelos Handbook and the Webelos Leader Guide . Here are some other Communicator resources that may be helpful: Meritbadge.org Communicator Worksheet (pdf) Buckeye Communicator Packet (pdf) Hendra’s Communicator Packet [ via MacScouter and scoutingthenet.com ] (pdf) Scouting the Net - Communicator Yahoo Kids - Homework Help…
Boy Scout and founder of Project TroopTreats is awarded the NASE Future Entrepreneur Scholarship.
Two years ago I wrote a blog post that became one of the most read posts I have ever written. It was during the time when many packs and troops were conducting recruitment drives and school nights. The article listed some reasons on why a parent should get involved as a leader in Scouting.
Schoolmates honor Scout who died after receiving burns at Joseph A. Citta Boy Scout Reservation over the summer.
This bridge was built at last year's Belgian Jamboree , by members of Ploeg Technieken , who have featured previously with the cloverleaf lashing . Kim notes that this was built 'only with manpower, no cranes, winching ... just people with hands ;-) ' This is a large and complex project, built from a series of smaller assemblies- see, for example…
Each year the Boy Scouts of America make changes to the advancement requirements. See which Merit Badges have requirement changes in 2009.
These Journal Craft Kits ("The Book About Me!") f rom Oriental Trading would probably be a fun activity for Tiger, Wolf, or Bear den meetings in October. The kits are $8.29 plus shipping for a set of twelve. Theme: Adventures in Books Link
The Order of the Arrow High Adventure Promotions Team is holding a Photo / Quote contest for all past participants of OA Trail Crew, OA Wilderness Voyage, or OA Ocean Adventure.
Last night I attended our monthly District Committee meeting. Now there is nothing special about that in and of itself, except last night as I sat and listened to a discussion about why we can not get registered adult leaders to training, I thought to myself it is all about the basics of leadership.
It has been busy the last two nights. We had our district wide School Night For Scouting on the 3rd. My district, Keystone picked up a few more than 300 scouts. I turned in 15 scouts with one withheld for payment of fees.
Tropical Storm/Hurricane Hannah has dealt our Oceanography Merit Badge trip with Old Dominion University and NOAA a blow … not a fatal blow, but definitely a windy blow. The trip was canceled due to the storm, and will have to be rescheduled sometime in the future.
One of the official suggested Webelos activity badges for October is Showman . Here are the requirements for the Showman Webelos activity badge : Do this: 1. Complete six activities of your choice; these can be from any area (puppetry, music, or drama).
The official 22nd World Jamboree website is now up and running. The theme for the Jamboree is "Simply Scouting," and it will be held in Sweden.
When I was a Boy Scout I attended summer camp at Parker Scout Reservation in Central Minnesota. We ate our evening meals in a dining hall. Once the troops were seated, one of the staff members would get up in front of the troops and lead us in a song.
The newest edition of Baloo's Bugle is now available in Word.doc and Adobe.pdf The HTML will be up soon It loaded with lots of good things to do to get your Pack energized. This is truly an action theme - and you choose the direction of the action!!
The September 2008 Baloo’s Bugle (by Commissioner Dave) is now available for free download. It has games, activities, ceremonies, puzzles, crafts, and other ideas for den and pack meetings for the October 2008 monthly theme ( Adventures in Books ) . For Webelos Scout den meetings, it also has activities for the Citizen and Showman Webelos activity badges.
I would guess that one Troop in twenty schedules actual, independent Patrol outings. More likely than not the Patrols all go camping at once - AKA a Troop outing (like my Troop). I haven't pursued independent Patrol outings for a couple of reasons; Logistics - Planning, supplying and launching three or four separate outings is more difficult…
The July 20, 2008 Money section of USA Today features an interview with BSA Chief Scout Executive Robert Mazzuca . Mazzuca discusses how Scouting helps develop character and leadership qualities . In the interview, Mazzuca also addresses some of the challenges facing today's Scouting movement as it approaches its 100th anniversary , especially in the area of public…
Show #155-The Grand Illusion My birthday, a 4 inch scarring, and Den Meetings start off this week. I also talk about field trips, den fundraisers, the zen mystery of training, the Lion Cubs Program, adopting roads, how the heck DO they organize our information?, cll phones on campouts, too many Unit Commissioners, and uniform inspections.
The October 2008 ( Adventures in Books ) Den Meeting in a Box is now available from BSA Supply Group for Tiger, Wolf, or Bear den meetings. It is $37.49 and includes ten “The Written Word” booklets, a kit that makes ten Cub Scout bookmarks, ten monthly theme patches, and more. Link
I had an interesting discussion recently about the "Knots" I wear on my uniform. First of all, lets clarify that yes I wear the knots that I have been awarded, presented or otherwise received. Some do not agree on the wearing of knots, and that is what this post is all about...
Simon Kenton Council’s Buckeye District roundtable packet for October 2008 ( Adventures in Books ) is now on the SKC website. Buckeye District makes a great roundtable packet which is posted monthly on their website. This one has games, cooking ideas, crafts, songs, skits, ceremonies, and more. Link (pdf)
One afternoon, many years ago at Many Point Scout Camp, the Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 had some free time. Raymond, a Scout from Alaska who was a cousin of one of our troop members, was staying with us for the week.
#53-Feedback Feedback on getting your unit online, old podcasts, recruiting tools and the next 20 shows. Tonight's show sponsored by ScoutData.com Download the show here:
It has been a long while since I last posted a TOP 10 list... So here you go... The Top 10 things you hear from your wife (or husband) after a camp out... 10. Hi honey.. did you bring all the boys back this time?
Knots or Not scouting cartoons is please to present for your viewing pleasure, Mike Bowman's cartoon debut ! For September we look at the surveying merit badge. Enjoy. Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
Its been seven years now since our Nation was attacked. By whom and what for really does not matter any more. But the fact that on the morning of September 11th 2001 our Nation.. our World changed forever, and with that change came changes in all of us.
As with all the Webelos activity badges, the best resources for Showman are the Webelos Handbook and the Webelos Leader Guide . Here are some other Showman resources that may be helpful: Meritbadge.org Showman Worksheet (pdf) Buckeye Showman Packet (pdf) Scouting the Net - Showman Pack 152 - Showman [ via scoutingthenet.com ] ClassicsForKids.com ChildDrama.com
From John Sweet's weekly 1950's Scout magazine page. (...and more about the Highwayman's Hitch for those who are mystified by the cartoon)
The November 2008 Cub Scout Monthly Theme is “ Seeds of Kindness .” Here is the official BSA theme description: “As we approach Thanksgiving, let us spread seeds of kindness in the form of multiple small service projects . Helping others gives the boys the opportunity to see the bounty produced by spreading many small seeds of kindness…
We're all busy gearing up for Ike but this applies to any hurricane! Be sure to include your scouts in the Emergency Preparation. They can: Board windows Move yard art / furniture / sporting equipment into the garage Pack if you're heading out Grub Master!
It can never be said enough ... the Scout law is your road map to Character. In leadership development we teach the Scouts to BE, KNOW, and DO. Simple ways for them to remember what it is that is expected of leaders.
The training for high adventures or weekend hike-in campouts should include proper pack weight distribution skills. It makes sense to most people to pack the heaviest things in the bottom of the pack, but that isn't correct. A quick demonstration is all it takes to convince them that high and close to the hiker's back…
Pack 293 is looking to receive letters from 100 Eagle Scouts to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Scouting.
Scouts can attend the Illinois Windy City ThunderBolts Baseball game on 9/16/08 for free!
If you have been a Scouter for any length of time you probably enjoy looking through old Scouting magazines and books, or checking out old Scouting memorabilia. I know I do. In fact, I have a nice collection of old handbooks and fictional novels about Scouting.
One of the official suggested Webelos activity badges for November is Readyman . Here are the requirements for the Readyman Webelos activity badge : Do all of these: 1. With your parent, guardian, or Webelos den leader, complete the Courage Character Connection.
Cradle of Liberty Council has decided to close Treasure Island Scout Reservation for the 2009 season and is exploring long term options for the property.
More talk about teamwork... or Trustworthy, Loyal and Helpful. This weekend, much to my wife's surprise, I woke up in the same bed as her.. a weekend free of Scouting activity. The first of its kind in about a month.
Cub Scout packs which are chartered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS packs) have some differences from non-LDS packs because they are an integral part of the LDS church youth program . Some of the ways in which LDS packs vary from non-LDS packs include: - Boys progress from one level to another…
Irving, Texas and Gondola Adventures Team up in Support of the Boy Scouts of America, Last Frontier Council. Irving Gondoliers Row a Popcorn-filled Gondola on the Oklahoma River To Raise Awareness of the Start of Popcorn Sales.
Check out the new show. I had the pleasure of hanging out with Nick Wood from Nicks Ramblings. (see the link to his blog). we had a great discussion on the World Scouting Movement, well, ok.. we focused on the things that we have in common and different between the US and UK Scouting programs.
BSA is pilot testing a new Lions program for kindergarten boys in some Councils. As with Tigers Cubs, Lion Cubs are part of a Cub Scout pack, and Lion Cub parents are required to actively participate in all activities. Kindergarten boys often would like to join Cub Scouts.
For most of us , Scouting is a local activity. We do not think to much about how far reaching Scouting is. Did you know that the World Scouting Organization is in 160 Countries? That's right. Scouts in 160 Countries on this planet share the values and attitudes of Scouting.
Yes this is totally Scouting related. The Boy Scouts of America... as in the National office is on Facebook. Check it out here . Become a fan and help the BSA usher in the next 100 years! Have a Great Scouting Day!
The Top 10 things you hear from your wife (or husband) after a camp out… 10. Hi honey.. did you bring all the boys back this time? 9. No you can not set up the tent in the living room to dry!
Hurricane Ike Blew right through Houston a few days ago. Before hand we encouraged our scouts to prepare for the storm by using the requiremens for the Emergency Prep merit badge. By helping their families and neighbors get prepared and taking an active role.
ScoutParents is a new program from BSA National for Cub Scout packs and Boy Scout troops with the goal of increasing the number of parent volunteers and increasing the level of parental enthusiasm and support for Scouting . "Scouting makes great parents, too!"
Show #156-Urgent Tonight -Stressed Moms, National Park Service Scout Day, roundups, Girl Scouts, popcorn, campfires and lions. Oh my! Links: Outdoor Play Survey National Public Lands Day College of Southern Nevada Planetarium Tonight’s show sponsored by Badge Magic
Got $900 to blow and love rifles? Henry Repeating Arms has designed a BSA 100th Anniversary Commemorative rifle that will fulfill your needs. It's a .22 so maybe we'll see some at summer camp next year. :-) I guess this is really what you'd call a niche market - a $900 .22 rifle. Scout On
Henry Repeating Arms announced the release of its Henry Golden Boy "Boy Scouts of America® Centennial Edition" licensed rifle.
Our Troop has completed its semi annual elections. New leaders are assuming their positions, some after six months of training, watching, and picking up the do's and don'ts of the boy led troop, while for others this is their first opportunity to lead.
#54-"I'm A New ___________, Now What?" So you are a new Scout Leader and do not know what to do next? You are afraid, you fell alone and lost. Will don't worry this show will help you find your way, and prove to you that you are not alone and there is nothing to be afraid…
Keith Monroe was a longtime contributor to Scouting magazine and Boys' Life . His book, Be Prepared , an account of his joys and struggles as a Scoutmaster, was published in 1952 under the pen name Rice E. Cochran. Here is an excerpt concerning Scoutmaster's dividends: The biggest dividends...
The September 2008 issue of Scouting Magazine is now available at the magazine website. Link This issue has articles of interest to Cub Scouters on the following subjects: Centennial Boy Scout Uniform . Link The new ScoutParents program. Link How to get boys interested in reading . Link
Yes, I am still here. Unfortunately, I have been so busy over the last several days I have not had the time to post to this blog very often. Between filming video for a couple new "Buttons, the radical Boy Scout" videos, editing the videos, going to troop meetings and parent meetings, and recording The…
American Business" is in the news a lot today. Good news, bad news. It constantly changes, and seems to have a life of its own. The American Business merit badge is designed to teach you about free enterprise; the relationship between money, business, government, banking and insurance; and labor relations.
Russell Martin honored for lending his name and image to the "We Fill Big Shoes" Scouting campaign in Los Angeles.
Updated to reflect latest policy
They are back! Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, and his friends Randall and Bones return in another video with more terrible jokes, more one liners, and more "Yo, dude"s. A fourth puppet joins the group and gives a quick little take on the thoughts of a wise man.
As with all the Webelos activity badges, the best resources for Readyman are the Webelos Handbook and the Webelos Leader Guide . Here are some other Readyman resources that may be helpful: Meritbadge.org Readyman Worksheet (pdf) Buckeye Readyman Packet (pdf) Scouting the Net - Readyman Hendra’s Readyman Packet [ via MacScouter and scoutingthenet.com ] (pdf) Pack 152 - Readyman Mayo…
Funny it seems that things happen in groups. They say that bad things happen in groups of three... well I think good things happen in greater numbers. After talking with Nick last weekend, it seems that my Scouting World has just been getting bigger and better.
Now, here's an idea I wish I had had first. Check out Confluence.org - Latitude/Longitude intersections around the world are being visited and the view from there being recorded. Way cool! This project has actually been going on for 12 years, but there are still over 10,000 intersections to visit out of the 16,325 desired for…
I've written about friction lock projects before- like this table and this pole rack . This post a simplified friction locking pioneering bridge. The purpose of this project is as an 'icebreaker' in a pioneering session - even Scouts who have no knotting experience can build one of these 'bridges', and feel that they have achieved something.
The Order of the Arrow is now approved as an Official Certifying Organization for the President's Volunteer Service Award.
During my discussion with Steve, Dave, and Shawn, we talked about Pack and Troop finances. At one point Dave said that we would think that what his Pack charges for dues would be excessive. I commented that as long as the people that have to pay for it do not think so, then it does…
The News Briefs in the September 2008 Scouting magazine contain the following stories of interest to Cub Scouters: New online Den Chief Training New BSA online Hazardous Weather Training Camp Cooking Recipe Contest Link Posted in CUB SCOUTS, Den Chiefs, Safe Scouting, Training
The Patrol Box is clean, stocked and ready for another weekend of fun and Sc outing . There are a lot of goodies below, waiting to help your program out. Merit badges, a fire building video, popcorn sales, and lots to ponder--have a good weekend!
I told my self this month was the month I was going to a district committee meeting. So last night was the district meeting. It was basically my committee meeting on a higher level. I have to say that I went to myscouting elaerning and took the district committee fast start.
One of the official suggested Webelos activity badges for November and December is Craftsman . Here are the requirements for the Craftsman Webelos activity badge : Do these: 1. Explain how to safely handle the tools that you will use for this activity badge safely.
Due to some unforseen circumstances, there will be no live show tonight. Apologies. See you next week.
Picture from Ottertooth Reflector Ovens are great fun. Baking over the campfire is one of those advanced camping skills that bring a little class to your camping trips. Take a look at this lineup of ovens I put together a couple of years back to buy or make yourself.
Garry K., a Cub Scouter in San Antonio, Texas, has a pretty interesting blog, " Chairman's Chat ," in which he discusses his adventures as a new pack Committee Chairman . His post on recruiting at school meet-your-teacher nights has some very good suggestions. Link Posted in CUB SCOUTS, Recruiting
Wal-Mart, Target, Books-a-Million, Lowes are all kinds of "big box" stores. They are often supporters of Scouting. While they won't let you walk around inside selling, they will usually let you set up a table outside so you can sell popcorn.
It's that time of the year. The kids are back in School.. No more back to school shopping, School opens houses are wrapped up and we know who the teachers are. The weather is changing, gone are the hot days of summer and clouds are creeping back in.
I forgot to post last Friday that "A Scoutmaster's Blog" has received 50,000 visits since I began using Blog Patrol to gather statistics about the blog. It took over a year and a half to reach the 25,000 mark, but only only six months to add another 25,000 to that.
I have collected dozens of videos over the years that were produced by the Boy Scouts of America. Some od them were commercials, some were training films, and some were inspirational films. A few were a bit corny, but that only added to the charm.
Illustration by Hap Wilson. Originally appeared in The Keewaydin Way by Brian Back Lake Temagami and environs is one of the great good places to go canoeing. According to the Ottertooth website: The three-walled heritage fireplace has been a Temagami tradition for over a hundred years and many blackened campsite fireplaces have been in use…
As with all the Webelos activity badges, the best resources for Craftsman are the Webelos Handbook and the Webelos Leader Guide . Here are some other Craftsman resources that may be helpful: Meritbadge.org Craftsman Worksheet (pdf) Buckeye Craftsman Packet (pdf) Scouting the Net - Craftsman Bill Smith - Craftsman Projects S CCC 2007 Pow Wow - Craftsman (doc) [ Via…