Posts in October 2009

2010 Anniversary Catalog (opens in a new tab)

Scouting News · archived copy

The National Supply Group has issued a 2010 Anniversary Catalog. In it you will find all items related to the 2010 Boy Scouts of America. Items such as: – Limited Edition Scout Stoneware – Items to commemorate the Generations Connections Activity – Boy Scouts of America Monopoly – Anniversary Party Supplies – Limited Edition Gnomes – and much more!

Thanks

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

Thanks for all the questions.. we have 20 and will be recording the show this week. Look for your question or just for the answers coming real soon. I will have a very special Guest host on this show, you don't want to miss it.

Mountainsmith Lumbar Packs (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

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.

Learn from the Handbook: Weather Lore

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

Unless you're taking a Philmont trek in summer, when you can set your watch by the afternoon thunderstorms, it's almost impossible to predict the weather. But don't give up on becoming the unofficial office meteorologist just yet. Simply absorb some easy-to-remember weather folklore to increase your odds of an accurate forecast.

Cheap Uniforms (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Musings ·

If you're just the right size, you can get BSA uniform shirt, pants, and even socks for under $20 total! ScoutStuff.org is really trying to get rid of their old inventory and have cut / hacked / slashed / obliterated prices on remaining quantities.

Online tour permit approval

BSA Innovation Engine ·

0 Vote On Idea The current system for approving online tour permits is very ineffective in that "submitted" tour permits do not, by default, show on page one. Previous posts on this topic have received the response that "all you have to do is use the advanced search option instead of scrolling through the pages".

September's Top Tweets (opens in a new tab)

ScoutSigns ·

September was a busy month. 1477 times someone interested in Scouting clicked on a link that I thought would be of interest. That is a lot of interest! I appreciate your support to help make Scouting even better. Here are the top 10 tweets for September: 1.

All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) Pilot

BSA Innovation Engine ·

0 Vote On Idea In support of our collective goals of increasing membership and retention while simultaneously delivering relevant and engaging program, the "New BSA" has embarked on a new initiative to pilot All Terrain Vehicles, more commonly referred to as ATVs.

Lion Cubs

BSA Innovation Engine ·

0 Vote On Idea In the interest of increasing membership and retention within the Cub Scout Program, the Northern Star Council in St. Paul, MN has launched a five (5) year pilot program called "Lion Cubs" targeted at boys age 5 and/or in Kindergarten and their adult partners.

Registration data entry

BSA Innovation Engine ·

4 Vote On Idea When entering in youth applications, the address copies to the bottom/parent portion. That is very helpful, and it would be even more efficient if the e-mail address copied as well. Comments (0) Technology

Discount Activity Booklets (opens in a new tab)

KISMIF - Awesome Cub Scouting ·

All available booklets in the Cub Scout Activity Series are now only 99¢ each from BSA Supply Group. The booklets were part of the now-discontinued Den Meeting in a Box series. Among the cool booklets still available are ones on recycling , trees , weather , bugs , and dinosaurs . Posted in Books, CUB SCOUTS

Why is it so hard to get training records for Volunteers?

BSA Innovation Engine ·

2 Vote On Idea We should be able to run training reports for all volunteers for a specific unit or district. It should list the leaders, their position, what training they have taken with the dates and then what training they need to become a trained leader.

Scoutstuff.org more user friendly

BSA Innovation Engine ·

5 Vote On Idea While I very much appreciate the improvement that has come from scoutstuff.org within the past few years I think it's time to take it one step further. Would it be possible to allow a site-to-store order/pick-up option through scoutstuff.org?

General Ledger Detail Report

BSA Innovation Engine ·

4 Vote On Idea When running an account detail report from the General Ledger (#11 in reports), it would be helpful to hav a choice to run summary OR detail for Membership, Fundraising, Cash Receipts, and Cash Disbursement transactions. This feature is available in the Bank Reconciliation section, so implementing it in GL reports should…

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for… Popcorn?

An Hour A Week? ·

...

The Scoutmaster Minute Show #42- 20 Questions (opens in a new tab)

An Hour A Week? · archived copy

In this show Scoutmaster Jerry answers 20 questions. 20 questions were emailed from our listening audience and I answer them all. Jerry is joined by a very special guest host for this one. A look behind the curtain and a glimpse of some of Jerry's Scouting philosophy as he answers 20 questions.

The Scoutmaster Minute Show #42

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

In this show Scoutmaster Jerry answers 20 questions. 20 questions were emailed from our listening audience and I answer them all. Jerry is joined by a very special guest host for this one. A look behind the curtain and a glimpse of some of Jerry's Scouting philosophy as he answers 20 questions.

Name That Council: October 2, 2009

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

Where else but this secret location might you find a river, a steamboat, and a rifle-toting explorer? Identify the council that wears the patch shown above. Send us your response along with your name, unit number, position, and council. Good luck!

Weekend Patrol Box #22 (opens in a new tab)

ScoutSigns ·

This has been a busy week. Scouting on top of end-of-month processing at work, punctuated with a pack performance on Wednesday night. Family Camp at Camp Rock Enon started the week--cool weather, and plenty of rain. The rain forced the event's campfire indoors, but we still had fun while drying out.

In my last Podcast I answered 20 questions…

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

In my last Podcast I answered 20 questions, it was a lot of fun to get the questions from folks that normally listen to the show and a great opportunity to get in touch with them via the Q&A. One of the questions in particular I thought needed more time and thought.

Top September 2009 Posts (opens in a new tab)

KISMIF - Awesome Cub Scouting ·

Here are the top 10 most viewed posts for September 2009 (other than those solely about monthly theme items): 2009-2010 Program Helps Full Download 2009-2010 Program Helps New Cub Scout Belt Loops Coming 2008-2009 Program Helps Kindergarten Lions: Pilot Description Scout Centennial "Year of Celebration" Patch Cub Scout Program Helps Online Example Schedule Flyer "Words…

Three Winners (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Musings ·

Picked the September give-away winners yesterday. Darrel M. of Pack 915 in Deer Park, TX won a Fire Piston. Lisa C. of Pack 112 in Ocala, FL won a $25 ScoutStuff gift card. Jennifer R. of Troop 46 in Montgomery, NJ won a $50 coupon for ClassB.com Enter on BoyScoutTrail.com for the October give-away.

Invitation to Capitol Hill Screening of 759: Boy Scouts of Harlem

Scouting News ·

Invitation to a special Capitol Hill screening of 759: BOY SCOUTS OF HARLEM….a documentary film. Sponsored by Senators Jeff Sessions and Senator Ben Nelson and Congressman Ike Skelton and Congressman W. Todd Akin Thursday, October 8th, 2009 5:30 PM sharp Capitol Hill Visitor's Center Congressional Auditorium – CVC 200 Enter on First Street & E.

September 2009 ScoutingNews Recap

Scouting News ·

Its been a while since I've done one of these recap posts, February to be exact, however I had a few requests from curious readers so here we go… This is a recap of September 2009 on Scouting News… First, I'd like to thank our September Sponsor: BoyScoutStore.com Boy Scout Store is an independent website…

MSPP #74: Doctor! Doctor! (opens in a new tab)

A Scoutmaster's Blog · archived copy

It is time to get back to fun with the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast. After all, the last two postings were a bit more on the serious side. This episode features the Boy Scouts of Troop 68 during their 2002 Laughs For Lunch Show.

Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast #74

An Hour A Week? ·

It is time to get back to humor with the Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast. After all, the last two postings were a bit more on the serious side. This episode features the Boy Scouts of Troop 68 during their 2002 Laughs For Lunch Show.

Adult Training Day (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Musings ·

District "Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills" training all day tomorrow at camp. I'm driving another trainer up to camp at 6am. He teaches Ropes-n-Knots to start the day at 8am and I end the day with Leave No Trace and then First Aid.

Woodbadge Photos (opens in a new tab)

A Scoutmaster's Blog · archived copy

I took the Boy Scouts of America's Woodbadge training course for adult leaders in 1988. I was a member of the Bobwhite Patrol. I was the patrol's historian so I took a lot of pictures over the three weekends. I finally found time to scan my Woodbadge photographs this summer.

A Quick Update (Podcast) (opens in a new tab)

Nick's Ramblings UK ·

Podcast number 17. A quick update of what my Group has been up to in September. I will doing another podcast within the next 10 –14 which will be somewhat different, so watch this space. I actually recorded this on Monday, uploaded it and forgot it was saved as a draft, hence the delay in…

October is a Busy Month!

Lone Star Scouter ·

As always, when October rolls around, Troop 483 finds itself very busy. Each year, on one crazy Saturday, the troop splits between volunteering at the Webelos To Scout Expo and the church festival at the Christ United Church of Cypress .

Mistakes, Chances, and Chipping away at Character

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

So how many chances do we get? How many mistakes are we allowed to make? At what time does our Character start to erode beyond the point of repair? These are questions that are always out there.. but no one seems to want to answer.

Membership email reminders

BSA Innovation Engine ·

1 Vote On Idea This is submitted on behalf of the COR for four of my district's more than 200 units: "Here is a possible suggestion. Since you have the boys' birthdays, can they send out automatic emails about once a month that tells the email recipient (COR) that certain individuals need to be transferred…

The Leader's Campfire #71

The Leader's Campfire Podcast ·

#71-Feedback This show was recorded in late August. Apologies for some of the "old" references. The new Boy Scout handbook, Committee positions, getting ready for Webelos, upcoming topics and lots more are on this week's show. Tonight's show sponsored by Badge Magic Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts Share and Enjoy:

Hudson Valley Council Latest to Join the American Veterans Aid Fund Drive

Scouting News ·

Boy Scouts of America, Hudson Valley Council joined the American Veterans Aid Fund Great Cell Phone Drive today in support of housing for our veterans and their families in the Hudson Valley. "Having been a scout growing up in the Town of Woodbury was one of the greatest experiences in my lifetime in addition to…

NSJ 2010 Bulletin (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Maniac ·

September-October 2009 COUNCIL CHECKLIST: WHERE DO YOU STAND? Should Already Be Done Second national fee paid by July 31. Confirmed transportation and tour arrangements. Finalized council fee and payment schedule. Designed council shoulder insignia. In Progress Promote jamboree at roundtables.

An Hour A Week? #197

An Hour A Week? ·

#197-Got Me Under Pressure Training reports, Pez, Belt-Loop packaging, tracking achievements, explaining the BSA program to non-BSA Scouters and Fast Tracks are all on tap for tonight's show. Links: Cub Scout honored for heroic acts- http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=123313&catid=188 Program Helps- http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/CubScoutHelps.aspx Fun n Flexible Fast Tracks- http://atlanta631.mypack.us/node/1005 Tonight's show sponsored by The Boy Scout Store Join the…

The Everlasting Tortilla (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

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.

A SCOUT IS PHYSICALLY FIT, PROFESSIONALS AND SCOUTERS TOO...

BSA Innovation Engine ·

0 Vote On Idea OK, I admit, I am overweight... when I earned my Eagle I was 5'10" and 155 pounds. Add an inch to that today but also add 'too much' weight. Like many of our leaders and youth members I can't claim to be as physically fit as I should be.

Sneak Peak at the BSA Rose Bowl Parade Float

Scouting News ·

If you follow @BoyScouts on twitter, you would have seen this tweet: Check out BSA's 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade float under construction. Cool way to kick-off the 100th Anniversary! http://bit.ly/26QKsr That's right, you can check out the Boy Scout's Tournament of Roses Parade float that is currently under construction.

TINOA Scouts (opens in a new tab)

A Scoutmaster's Blog · archived copy

I was a scoutmaster for several years when I noticed that we had a number of Boy Scouts who would go along on many of the outings, but would not show up regularly for troop meetings, and would not take the time to earn their advancement.

True North Show 15

An Hour A Week? ·

A quick bit of thanks to PTC, some W2S… I thank Chris, Steve and Jerry for bringing me in, a bit about W2S transitioning, a trip to the scout shop and keeping the promise of scouting Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

The Internet

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

Last night at our Troop meeting we took a few minutes to talk about this crazy thing called the internet. The Internet is a wonderful thing, I wish we had it when I was a kid. Homework help, research resources, and social networking are just a few things that I would have enjoyed, and enjoy…

Out of Council transfer

BSA Innovation Engine ·

9 Vote On Idea It would speed up processing time in registration if there was an electronic system in place to transfer a person from one council to another. Even if it required Scout Executive approval and the outgoing coucil registstrar acknowledgement.

Order registration forms

BSA Innovation Engine ·

3 Vote On Idea It would be helpfull for ordering registration forms to have a direct online order location for forms with confirmation and history available for registrars and office managers. Comments (0) Applications & Registration

Branding (opens in a new tab)

Nick's Ramblings UK ·

The Scouts have always had a strong visual brand, whether it is - The last logo represents the latest update from around 2001. Now the brand is being updated again. However, it's not a huge change this time but more of a 'tweak'!

Self express yourself out

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

I had an interesting encounter today at work. I came out of one of my customers establishments to meet a young person that seemed rather upset. He was dressed rather oddly I suppose, he was dressed mostly in black with lots of patches and symbols on his jacket.

Waiting Lists (opens in a new tab)

Nick's Ramblings UK ·

Sorry, Joining Lists as we now call them! Just recently, I've had a handful of people get in touch with the Group, through our website , with regards to getting their children to join Beavers, Cubs or Scouts. The problem is that I've had to put their names on the waiting (joining ) list.

Topping Out

Lone Star Scouter ·

Let the climbing begin! Tonight, our three climbing instructors (self included) started our course to re-certify for another two years as climbing instructors. Sadly, what was to become our fourth won't be able to join us. We'll miss him!

Total Youth Recruited

BSA Innovation Engine ·

0 Vote On Idea I was trying to provide my units a spreadsheet to show how many youth they've recruited each year over the last 2-3 years. From what I was able to find, the data can be found by district, but not by unit.

Finance Impact Department Resources User ID's and Passwords

BSA Innovation Engine ·

0 Vote On Idea There are several online resources (websites) available until the Finance Impact Department Resource's heading. It would be great if the user id's and passwords were available either on MyBSA somewhere or on the main FID's webpage.

Internet Tiger Advancement

BSA Innovation Engine ·

2 Vote On Idea I am getting reports from volunteers that Tiger Cub is not an option on internet advancement for those operating manually. Apparently Packmaster and other programs work fine, but I am told that there is no spot to manually enter a boy's date that he earned Tiger Cub.

New Council: Seneca Waterways Council

Scouting News ·

Seneca Waterways Council was formed from the merger of Finger Lakes Council and Otetiana Council. According to the Council's website: The new council name, "Seneca Waterways", was chosen to represent the two former councils, "Otetiana" and "Finger Lakes" and the five counties of the merged council.

Print Repository

BSA Innovation Engine ·

1 Vote On Idea Wouldn't it be nice if the list of print jobs had the same comment you put in when you submitted the job from print selections. Print selections lets you put in comments put then if you run say the same list for every district and you put the comments in and…

AP Vendor Setup

BSA Innovation Engine ·

1 Vote On Idea Please add a field to flag a vendor as an organization (a company or corporation, not a person). There are times that I need a vendor report of just companies. Comments (0) Technology

Commissioner Tracking System Improvements

BSA Innovation Engine ·

3 Vote On Idea The commissioner tracking system is a good idea, but it really only goes half-way as to how effective it could be. Can we turn it into a one stop unit status reporting system that the commissioners can use in making their monthly reports?

New Funding when United Way goes away

BSA Innovation Engine ·

0 Vote On Idea Our council usually received about $98,000 each year from United Way (UW). Three days before Christmas 2006 I was called into UW office along with several other non profit agencies; our council was cut 50% for our 2007 allocation.

BSA Visa/MC Credit Card

BSA Innovation Engine ·

2 Vote On Idea I just received information on a YMCA Visa Card. Shouldn't the BSA be on this idea as well. This idea may have been posted before. Comments (0) Fundraising & Sponsorships

Career Interest Surveys

BSA Innovation Engine ·

1 Vote On Idea I have to say that not only will my school counselors and administrators miss the "old" career interest surveys, but I will too! The old surveys can be scanned sooo much faster (considering I have several thousand to scan) and offer the additional 6 yes/no questions that schools can use as…

Employee benefits/compensation/retirement savings

BSA Innovation Engine ·

14 Vote On Idea It is difficult for many BSA employees to set aside additional dollars for retirement. Many Councils, the Regional and National Staff have matching fund programs tied to savings and investment accounts. Some councils match dollar for dollar up to 8% in at least one council.

The Trainer's Corner Podcast 6

The Trainer's Corner Podcast ·

I came from a pack that loved to get outdoors. In a special single-subject episode, in my sixth Scouting podcast I discuss my time as our pack's Outdoors Chair. **Please note that this is not instruction on how to be an Outdoors Chair; this is just how I did it when I held this committee…

Scout Podcast Number 6

The Trainer's Corner Blog ·

Hello fellow Scouters, I came from a pack that loved to get outdoors. In a special single-subject episode, in my sixth Scouting podcast I discuss my time as our pack's Outdoors Chair. **Please note that this is not instruction on how to be an Outdoors Chair; this is just how I did it when I…

15 steps to building a campfire (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Maniac ·

15 Steps to Build a Campfire 1) Split dead limb into fragments and shave fragments into slivers. 2) Bandage left thumb. 3) Chop other fragments into smaller fragments. 4) Bandage left foot. 5) Make structure of slivers (including those embedded in hand.).

JOTA (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Maniac ·

A very important event is coming up in World Scouting that I feel every scout should know abou.t This event is that of Jamboree on the Air. This Jamboree is a jamboree that takes place over radio waves. Here is a introduction to what the event is all about: The JOTA is an annual event…

JOTI (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Maniac ·

During the same weekend as JOTA there is also a event known as JOTI or Jamboree on the Internet, this is a event where scouts get togoether on the internet and through various other digital communication means to exchange ideas and meet new people.

FOS Message - Scouting is Free (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

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.

Weekend Patrol Box #23 (opens in a new tab)

ScoutSigns ·

Autumn is off on a dead run. Mid-October already? Really? We are headed off on a Medieval Camporee this weekend. Should be quite a lot of fun, despite the rainy forecast. Check out some of these gadgets and pieces of the Patrol Box: An energy generating backpack from The Adventure Blog .

Scoutmaster Minute Archive

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

The Scoutmaster Minute Early shows are back up and on line. You can get them from iTunes. Shows 1-29 are available for download again after some server changes and adminstrative maintainence the shows are back. I would like to thank all of you that have asked for them.

Cracker Barrel heads to Philmont

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

OK, prepare to be jealous after we tell you this: Cracker Barrel will be spending all of next week at Philmont Scout Ranch. We're heading to the 2009 National Outdoor Adventure Summit, an outdoor forum for professional and volunteer Scouters.

Uniforms In School (opens in a new tab)

A Scoutmaster's Blog · archived copy

I was the only guy in my high school (grades 10-12) who was an active Boy Scout. When I was in the tenth grade my scoutmaster told the members of our troop that we should wear our Boy Scout uniforms to school on February 8 for the Boy Scouts of America anniversary.

The Centenial Hiking Award

BSA Innovation Engine ·

1 Vote On Idea We are all becoming more aware about our need to be more physically fit. Most of the suggestions for how we can bring a fitness theme to scouting are one-time events like fitness themed camporees, or short term events like merit badges.

Scuba Merit Badge (opens in a new tab)

Scouting News · archived copy

As we mentioned back in August, Scuba Merit Badge was approved and would be showing up later this year. Wait no longer. The details are now available. While the requirements and information have been released and will be pushed out through the Councils, it will take a little while for the merit badge pamphlet and…

Scout's TV (opens in a new tab)

Nick's Ramblings UK ·

One of the items in the weekly newsletter I get from the Scout Association was that the SA's YouTube channel has been launched as Scout's TV . Here are all the SA's videos including the six episodes of the Everyday Adventure TV series.

Events Registration

BSA Innovation Engine ·

3 Vote On Idea It would be wonderful if the assistants could be cc'd on emails concerning events registration, i.e. Top Hands, National Meetings. This would help us and those we support be more organized. Comments (0) Internal , events , registration

Scouting in real life

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

WHAT? Real life? Isn't Scouting part of your life all the time? Well you did make a promise to live the Scout Oath and Law, and to do your DUTY, and at the very least to do your best... Right?

Scout Omelets In Bag (opens in a new tab)

The Trainer's Corner Blog ·

Hello fellow Scouters, I learned an excellent way to make omelets a few years ago at Baloo training. These are easy to make and would be great for your next campout. They create very little mess, and although aren't the greatest looking omelets, they taste wonderful and are easy to make!

Volunteering with Boundaries (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

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.

The Miller Castle (opens in a new tab)

A Scoutmaster's Blog · archived copy

The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 recently spent a weekend at Parker Scout Reservation, the Central Minnesota Council's camp. One of the highlights of the weekend was a tour of the newest building on the site, the Miller Castle.