True North Show 10 (opens in a new tab)
WOOT! I have hit the double digit mark with this release of Show 10! I talk about gear and the new troop. More on the new troop and the progress to come...you can listen HERE or download it from iTunes
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August 2009
291 posts, oldest first.
Posts in August 2009
Name That Council: August 21, 2009
You'll find the lake pictured in the patch above in a national park somewhere in the United States. We can't tell you where, because the name of the national park is also the name of the council. Need more clues?
Contest
I have received some great tips and recipes. But I want more... hey, the more I get.. the more I get to try and better yet taste. There is only about 2 weeks left to get your favorite recipe or tip in to qualify for a great prize from Trailstop.com.
Eagle Certificates
2 Vote On Idea This is more of a question then innovation. Several of my volunteers has asked why the Eagle Certificates has GW Bush as the Honorary President and not President Obamaa' signature. Is there an answer that I can give them?
Weekend Patrol Box #18 (opens in a new tab)
The Patrol Boxes have been a bit sporadic this summer, but hopefully you will find plenty of good stuff to look at here. Fresh coat of paint, replace a couple of wobbly screws, scrub off the ketchup spots, and...voila! Good as new!
Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) is Fast Approaching
Jamboree-on-the-Air is an annual Scouting and amateur radio event sponsored by the World Scouting Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Thousands of amateur radio stations around the world participate. The 52nd annual Jamboree-on-the-Air will allow more than 500,000 Scouts from around the world to exchange experiences and share ideas by making contact…
Long-Term Retention Tracking Tools and Incentives
2 Vote On Idea I recommend creation of better retention tracking tools in Scoutnet or MyBSA. For example, widgets or reports that showed our 2, 3, and 4-year retention of our programs (Cubs, Boy Scouts, etc.) and individual units within our service area would be very helpful.
The Leader's Campfire #70
#70-Webelos To Scout Part 2 Tonight we will be talking about Webelos and the process they take to become Boy Scouts. Webelos is unique in Cub Scouts because it not only gives the Scouts more change for adventure but also encourages them to take on more responsibilities.
The Leader's Campfire #70
#70-Webelos To Scout Part 2 Tonight we will be talking about Webelos and the process they take to become Boy Scouts. Webelos is unique in Cub Scouts because it not only gives the Scouts more change for adventure but also encourages them to take on more responsibilities.
Shameless Promotion
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An appreciation for the Outdoors.
Developing in our young men an appreciation for the Out doors is part of the job description of the Scoutmaster, well it's not.. but it should be. I stumbled on this short video that really captures some of those ideas in an interview with Ken Burns. Enjoy. Have a Great Scouting Day!
Summertime Activity
With the summer all but over, the troop made one last night of it. Over a third of the boys made it out to Stone Moves rock gym for a fun filled evening of climbing. Many scouts who have not had the opportunity to go there experienced it for the first time and were quite…
The Friendship Knot (opens in a new tab)
I was introduced to the Friendship Knot by a scouter friend (which is is redundant as all scouts are friends) and he had this knot tied in the tails of his neckerchief. The knot itself is a unique thing in itself as the legend is that the knot must be tied by someone else and…
Scouting Video of the Week, Aug 22 (opens in a new tab)
So for this video of the week I decided to dig deep into Scoutmaster Steve's youtube channel for a good scouting video. The video I found is the classic star trekking song that Troop 68 performed on a local television's Christmas program. Enjoy!
Backpacking gear
We have been talking a lot lately about gear. I did a couple podcasts on gear and have received lots of great feedback and comments on what is peoples backpacks and what they prefer to use when out on the trail.
Lions Club Community Service Awards Knot (opens in a new tab)
One of our readers, Marty Val Hill, shared the following with us: I met a Scouter in San Antonio last week who told me the Lions Club and BSA finally established an Award for Lions Club members who wanted to earn the BSA Community Service Awards knot.
Scout Museum to Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Scouting (opens in a new tab)
The Ottawa Scouting Museum, in Ottawa, Illinois, the home of Founder W. D. Boyce is preparing for a huge celebration to take place in Ottawa June 10-13, 2010. For details visit http://ottawascoutingmuseum.org or send an email to Mollie Perrot, the museum's Executive Director at [email protected] m .
Ohio Boy Scouts License Plates Availale Once Again
The Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles made the Boy Scouts of America "Character Counts" License Plate available again on July 20, 2009. According to Simon Kenton Council, the effort was thanks to a successful petitioning effort by Simon Kenton Council Scouters and Scouters from other Councils across the state.
Free Web-Based Communication Tools (opens in a new tab)
William Hooker is a KISMIF.org guest blogger from Concord, North Carolina. He is a Wolf Den Leader in the Central North Carolina Council and is a first-year Cub Scouter. A stumbling block of many Cub Scout packs is poor communication .
Packing your Tent
I have talked about it before.. but I love to pass on "Expert" advice on backpacking and camping gear. I always tell the Scouts that if you take care of your gear it will take care of you. Your tent is more than likely the most expensive or at least in the top three most…
August 2009 Cubcast (Cub Scout Pockets/Fall Recruiting) (opens in a new tab)
The August 2009 Cubcast from BSA National is available (free). Part 1 has ideas for den meetings and more utilizing the September " Cub Scout Pockets " theme. Part 2 has information on Scout popcorn sales . Part 1 page Part 1 mp3 file Part 2 page Part 2 mp3 file [ Photo: Flicker/nutmeg ] Posted in Cub Scout Pockets…
Name That Council: August 21, 2009 solution (opens in a new tab)
Last week's challenge featured a council that shares its name with a massive lake. It's so big, we told you, that it ranks in the top 10 of the world's deepest lakes. Did you figure out the council's name from those clues?
Simon Kenton Council Venturer Named Area 4 President
The Central Region Area 4 Venturing Selection Committee and Area Director Dale Holbrook are proud to announce that Elizabeth Williams will serve as Area President for 2009-10. Elizabeth is from Simon Kenton Council and lives near Powell, Ohio. Elizabeth is a sophomore at Worthington Kilbourne High School and is planning a career in Environmental Technologies…
Venturing "Year Pin" backs
2 Vote On Idea Within BSA, each level of membership has a different colored backing for the year pin, including Exploring. Venturing does not have a colored year pin backing. Since Venturing is a separate registration, it needs its own color for backing a year pin.
Three-Way Soccer (opens in a new tab)
New Active Game for All scouts
Tomato Powder (opens in a new tab)
We spotted this young moose with it's mother in the passage between Big and Little Crow Lakes Well, we're back from our sixth annual canoe trip to Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park and it was a great success. This year a record 23 people in three crews participated.
Podcast 3
Along with a healthy dose of movie trivia, in my third Scouting podcast I discuss: My Scouting experience as a youth Camping tip – The search for perfect camp coffee Leader's tip – Increasing attendance by being a cheerleader "Just Say No" – To lectures Favorite Cub Scout memory – A surprise from my son Scouting discussion – A couple…
Scout Podcast Number 3
Hello fellow Scouters, Along with a healthy dose of movie trivia, in my third Scouting podcast I discuss: My Scouting experience as a youth Camping tip – The search for perfect camp coffee Leader's tip – Increasing attendance by being a cheerleader "Just Say No" – To lectures Favorite Cub Scout memory – A surprise from my son Scouting…
An Hour A Week? #192
#192-Into The Sun I'm am officially sick on the heat. Half of the show is my recent Scouting events and the other half is some interesting Scout news. And we end with gnomes! Links: 2010 Catalog- https://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/images/pdfs/2010_MagaLog_Web.pdf Join the forum discussion on this post - (4) Posts Share and Enjoy:
An Hour A Week? #192
#192-Into The Sun I'm am officially sick on the heat. Half of the show is my recent Scouting events and the other half is some interesting Scout news. And we end with gnomes! Links: 2010 Catalog- https://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/images/pdfs/2010_MagaLog_Web.pdf
True North Show 11 (opens in a new tab)
Show 11, here I give my view on the Lion's program, electronics and training, with a bit of the Scout Oath. Enjoy! Click HERE to download or listen below
The hiccuping one gets his Boys Life
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50 stars, 13 stripes, and two right ways to wear it (opens in a new tab)
We received e-mail recently from a Cracker Barrel reader asking why the flag on the right sleeve of the Boy Scout uniform shirt differs from the one worn by the U.S. military. Here's an excerpt: This has been bothering me for the longest time.
Add Youth to National Board
3 Vote On Idea Boy Scouts is supposed to be about the youth we serve yet there is no youth representation on the National Board. Consider adding select number of Eagles, Venturing president or others to National Board on a one year membership. Comments (0) Other
Win Stuff (opens in a new tab)
In case you've been too busy scouting this summer to do much else, here's a little reminder that Scouts and Scouters can win some cool prizes. I just got my Scouting magazine and there's a Where Am I? contest. But, it looks like their website is not up to date with the contest yet.
Scout Stuff
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Lt. Governor Kinder to be honored with Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
The Great Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the National Eagle Scout Association have selected Lt. Governor Peter Kinder as a recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. Lt. Governor Kinder was notified of the honor by the Great Rivers Council earlier this month.
Ten Tips for Camping in the Rain (opens in a new tab)
Camping in the rain need not be as bad as it sounds. Here's ten tips on staying comfortable and maintaining morale if and when the rain comes. 1. AVOID IT I am the first to tell you that we have canceled or rescheduled weekend camping trips if lots of rain or horrendously bad weather is…
Mac Computers and BSA Software
3 Vote On Idea Make Scoutnet (and all other BSA Software) more accessible with Mac Computers. The amount of college students (and eventual graduates!) using Mac computers is growing rapidly! Comments (0) District and Council Operations , software
In Memoriam: Michel James Stokes 2002-2009
It was a tragic weekend for members of Cub Scout Pack 226 or Leavittsburg, Ohio. On Saturday night, Cub Scout Michael James Stokes, age 6, drowned while attending a Cub Scout backyard pool party with his mother and approximately 20 other individuals.
Height and Weight
By now most of you have read the most recent issue of Scouting Magazine . Bob Mazzuca started off the theme of fitness in his "From The CSE" article on page 8. Then on page 45 there is an article called "Fat Chance".
Scouting Magazine and Popcorn
0 Vote On Idea Why does Scouting Magazine allow advertisements for fundraising opportunities other than popcorn? In the recent issue, I counted 2 ads from Trails End (Thank you very much) and over 20 for other items, mostly Christmas trees and wreaths.
Clarify the Venturing age
2 Vote On Idea We promote Cub Scouting as age 7 or in the first grade, yet Venturing is listed as 14 AND completed the 8th grade. I think it should be promoted as 15 to 21 or in the 8th grade.
MSPP #72: The Leaders of Scouting (Gerry W.)
Twenty years ago the volunteers at Mel-TV, our local cable access television station, filmed a program in which five men who were Boy Scout leaders were interviewed about their Scouting experiences. I took that old vhs tape and transferred it to a dvd.
Reaching the Email-less (opens in a new tab)
Email lists (e.g., Yahoo Groups ) are a great tool for keeping members of your pack informed about upcoming events and activities. There is also a way you can make sure that your pack announcements go to those families who don't have email but are set up to receive text messages ( SMS messages ) via their mobile…
Knot of the Week: Scouter's Key
When walking along a trail at your favorite national park, brown trail signs mark your progress every few miles. These signs serve as a helpful reminder that you're on the right track as you move toward your goal. As a Scouting volunteer, the Scouter's Key serves a similar purpose.
Golden State Collision Centers, INC. to Launch Fundraising Campaign for Boy & Girl Scouts (opens in a new tab)
Golden State Collision Centers, Inc. To Launch Fundraising Campaign for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Heart of Central California at Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Golden State Collision Centers, Inc., will begin a month long fundraising campaign to benefit the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California.
Brand Management
4 Vote On Idea Please post Words to Live By PowerPoint Slides for FOS/Recruitment/Etc Comments (0) Other
Backpacking trip planning made easy
Planning for a Backpacking trek can be a chore or a pleasure. Most Scouts shy away from the chore.. SOOOO... here are a few ways to make Trek planning for the Scouts simple and less "Chore like". First and foremost..
Geocache Your Crossover
1 Vote On Idea Packs, Districts, and/or Councils can rent the proper equipment so that families can gather at a central location and then breakout individually. A more fun way to get the whole family involved before a Scout becomes more capable with a compass!
Employee Healthcare
4 Vote On Idea In keeping with all the media buzz, have we considered looking at our healthcare provider to determine if there may be a better choice? The outcome might be that we can save money at the employer level and the employee level while providing better plans and program choices for our families.
CCAD Art Explorer Post 407 Celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary
This year the Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) Art Explorer Post 407 celebrates its 10 year anniversary. Professor Ron Tardino created the program in 1999. The Art Explorer Post is a collaboration between CCAD and the Exploring Program and Learning for Life.
Response to a comment
I received a comment on my post about Backpacking Trip planning made easy. The Reader asked a few questions I would love to answer. Here is his comment: Jerry, Oregon must be a great place for backpacking. Tell us how far you have to go to get to the trail heads around you.
Unit Advancement/Membership
5 Vote On Idea When looking at the District Advancement report for a whole district, it is impossible to tell how many youth are in the units. The advancement report may say there are "X" rank, "Y" rank, and "Z" rank, and the total is _____.
Eagle Application Requirements
7 Vote On Idea On the Eagle Application why does Requirement #6 have two parts? Many scouts miss the second part which is their statement of ambitions and life purpose, and listing of postions held, etc. Can this requirement be made into #7 so we don't have to call the scout and say we need…
Bechtel Family National Scouting Center (opens in a new tab)
According to information coming out on Twitter from @BoyScouts and @ScoutExecutive , the new National High Adventure Base will be called the Bechtel Family National Scouting Center. Stephen D. Bechtel, Jr. has made a $50 million contribution to the project. The Betchel family runs the Bechtel Corporation which is a worldwide engineering, construction, and project management…
5 Days left
Our first contest is keeping me busy test new tips and of course some good eats. You only have 5 days left to submit your tip or recipe. Trust me when I say that there is NO CLEAR winner yet..
Learn from the Handbook: Take a Deep Breath
For all of the efforts you take to keep your group safe on weekend trips, one of the greatest dangers to you and your family might be waiting when you get home: carbon monoxide. The most commonly inhaled poison, carbon monoxide is a gas given off by car engines, appliances, charcoal grills, furnaces, and fireplaces.
Health & Safety Alert – Winter Sports Safety (opens in a new tab)
The National Council has released a Health & Safety Alert about Winter Sports Safety and Helmets. This is the complete alert: While it is the end of August and school is just beginning, we would like to advise you of a change to the Winter Sports Safety section of the Guide to Safe Scouting, In the…
Mourning of a lost Cub Scout (opens in a new tab)
A 6 year old named Micheal james Stokes from Leavittsberg, Ohio was swimming with a group of cub scouts and then as the group was getting ready to leave they noticed that james was missing and found him drowning in the pool.
High Temperature Camping Patch
-3 Vote On Idea There is a Polar Bear Camping Patch that requires a scout to camp in freezing weather, but not a High Temperature Camping Patch. I suggest that the requirements for this patch should be that a scout would need to camp for at least 24 hours in temperatures over 100 degrees.
Rename Venturing
-10 Vote On Idea The name "Venturing" is confusing. There are already Venture Patrols for older Scouts, so they don't understand the difference. The term has no intrinsic meaning to non-Scouts. Market it as "Teen Adventure"--everyone understands both words and it sounds exciting.
Use the #'s to our advantage
5 Vote On Idea Just came out of a "Cub Scouts 2010" session. The term "20/10" means "clear vision"--just ask your optometrist. So let's call this campaign... Cub Scouts 2010--a Clear Vision for Growth Any 2010 campaigns can use the "clear vision" tag Comments (0) 100th Anniversary , a clear vision
Venturing Age
-9 Vote On Idea Is there any discussion of lowering the age of Venturers? I would like to suggest that the age for Venturing Youth be lowered to include 7th and 8th graders. This would allow young men and women who are interested in high adventure and leadership skills to participate before entering high school.
Nothing But Nets Teams Up With Boy Scouts of America to Fight Malaria
The United Nations Foundation's Nothing But Nets, a grassroots campaign to prevent malaria by sending long-lasting insecticide-treated nets to families in Africa, announced today that the Boy Scouts of America has joined the malaria-prevention campaign as part of its 100th Anniversary Celebration.
The Tents of Troop 68 (opens in a new tab)
The current incarnation of Boy Scout Troop 68 began in December 1979, nearly thirty years ago. The troop had virtually no money and only a small amount of gear that had been salvaged from previous troops. The charter organization was not able to, or chose not to, give much financial assistance to the fledgling troop.
So what's in My Backpack?
What's in My Backpack. Most Backpackers are always tweeking their gear, replacing old stuff with new, looking for lighter, tougher, more useful (multi use) and of course just plain cool gear. Recently I upgraded some gear, namely my backpack. After years of carrying my Kelty External Frame Tioga 5500 I have switched to an internal…
Patrol Spirit (opens in a new tab)
Continuing an examination of Patrols based on the 1960 Book The Patrol System (opens PDF file). 'Patrol Spirit' as described below is key to fostering strong Patrols- Patrol spirit doesn't spring up like a mushroom overnight. It can't be made to order.
Name That Council: August 27, 2009
You can't complain that this week's Name That Council test doesn't contain plenty of clues. From the city's skyline and the historic ship to the state bird and the state crustacean, there's no shortage of hints. So if you think you know the name of the council that wears the patch above, e-mail us with…
Name That Council: August 28, 2009 (opens in a new tab)
You can't complain that this week's Name That Council test doesn't contain plenty of clues. From the city's skyline and the historic ship to the state bird and the state crustacean, there's no shortage of hints. So if you think you know the name of the council that wears the patch above, e-mail us with…
Cub Scouts 2010 Info (opens in a new tab)
Information about Cub Scouts 2010 , the changes to the Cub Scout program in which traditional monthly themes are discontinued and which implements a version of Fast Tracks , is now posted at the BSA National website. Link [ Via Jamie D./Cub Scout Talk ] Posted in CUB SCOUTS, Cub Scouts 2010
Cub Scouts 2010 FAQ (opens in a new tab)
Here are excerpts from the official FAQ about the new Cub Scouts 2010 program changes for den meetings and pack meetings from the BSA National website: "1. Why are we doing this program? Initially the experience of one pack which developed and used this program led us to believe it had merit.
"He needs Scouting"
There is not a Scoutmaster that I know that has not said those words in conversation. We all know of a boy that really does need Scouting. We have them in our Troops, we know them in the neighborhood, we see them in our kids Schools.
Cache to Eagle
Cache to Eagle is a partnership between Geoscouting, the BSA, and Geocaching.com to highlight Eagle projects across the nation. Through the program, participants set up normal public caches at Eagle project sites that also happen to be good cache spots.
Scouting Video of the Week, 8/29/09 (opens in a new tab)
This week's video is from a series of videos that were made by the BSA symbolizing points of the scout law. This video is about the law helpful. Enjoy!
Popcorn Time! (opens in a new tab)
As many people know it is popcorn season in the scouting world (at least in the American part of the scouting world anyways). This year's popcorn season brings about a couple of changes to Trails End's product line-up; for one they have discontinued the Chocolate Caramel Corn (which I really liked).
HalfEagle Scouting Topics Pages (opens in a new tab)
When I first made the sidebar area to promote Mr. Townley's newest book, I wasn't sure if I would really like it. In the end though, I was very pleased with how it worked out . I also said I'd be doing something like it in the future.
Area Scouts Carry Out the Boy Scout Law by Helping Others
Area Boy Scouts are banning together to help their fellow Scouts by putting their outgrown uniforms to good use. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and A Cleaner World have teamed up for the "Outfit a Scout" program to help distribute used uniforms to Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts in need.
Holidays, Camping and Electronics (opens in a new tab)
We've just got back from our holiday in the Lake District . Of course, being the Lakes, it rained, but we weren't too bothered as we had our waterproofs with us so we were ready for anything! As I now have a digital SLR camera, when we go away I take my laptop with me, so…
Happy National Marshmallow Toasting Day! (opens in a new tab)
Happy National Marshmallow Toasting Day! Thats right folks, it's National Marshmallow Toasting Day! Like any camper I love a well brownbed marshmallow and some smores. So today take some time to make yourself a smore wether you use a campfire or a microwave take soem time to share this delicious treat with your family and…
1st Gilwell Park Scout Group Website (opens in a new tab)
It's gone live! The world's largest Scout Group's website is now up and running. Kind of! It is actually live now, but in final testing and will be fully operational for the Gilwell reunion on 5th September. All Scouts, from all around the world that hold the Wood Badge are members of the 1st Gilwell…
Twitter - Facebook - Blog Connections (opens in a new tab)
I have been spending some time the past couple of weeks educating myself about social media. Take a look at this video: For the past ten or twelve years during our week at camp a fellow Scoutmaster and I run a fundraiser amongst the other adults in camp for the week to purchase something that…
Dad and Lad Camps a Special Time in Scouting (opens in a new tab)
Yesterday I had the opportunity to work my first Dad and Lad campout , working with a fellow scouter and friend of mine, doing the "I Hate Dishes" program for cub scouts and their fathers. Dad and Lad camps are fun because it is a time for bonding between fathers and sons at a scout camp…
My Shiny Cup (opens in a new tab)
I am a fan of things that are old, but just as much a fan of new. I like to see an axe that has been handed down through the ages, always sharp, always shiny, always having a great sheath to cover it.
Court of Honor Video
This is the Video that I put together to celebrate a great week at Summer Camp with the Scouts of Troop 664. We had a great week and the video really shows the fun we had. Enjoy! Have a Great Scouting Day!
Texting - 2b or not 2b? (opens in a new tab)
Mark Bauerlein is a professor of English at Emory University. His latest book bears the unfortunate title The Dumbest Generation . I haven't read the book but based on the professor's recent opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal is seems to be equivalent to grave predictions that comic books would foment the collapse of society.
Name That Council: August 28, 2009 solution
Where can you go in the United States to find delicious crab cakes, an impressive harbor, and orioles-both kinds, with wings and with baseball gloves? If you know the answer to that, you probably knew the answer to Friday's Name That Council test.
Adventure Base 100 (opens in a new tab)
Experience Scouting like never before with Adventure Base 100! Created specifically for the 100th Anniversary Celebration, Adventure Base 100 will be traveling the country to give people an exciting, hands-on view of the history and future of the Boy Scouts of America.
Contest Ends today.
Today is the last chance to get your Tip or Recipe in... Act fast! Tomorrow I will start the final cut and come up with a winner (or two). A big thanks to all of you that have participated in this contest.
100th Anniversary knot
-8 Vote On Idea How about a knot to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Scouting. It should be available to all registured Scout & Scouters. The idea is the same as the US military uses for those involved in during a period of time. Comments (1) 100th Anniversary , 100th anniversary knot
Mountain Walking and Being Prepared (opens in a new tab)
While we were on holiday, one item on the local news caught my eye. The Mountain Rescue Teams in the Lake District have been called out more times this year than last and the Keswick team (where coincidentally we were staying) had 70% more call outs than last year.