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2 Vote On Idea An idea that was proposed to me at a recent commissioners meeting. With training becoming mandatory in the near future, the idea is to eliminate the "Trained" strip. Instead, make all unit position patches restricted. When someone completes their training, they are eligible for the patch.
It's only a lump on a length of line, A snarl in a place of string. But properly tied, by a practised hand, It becomes such a beautiful thing. It is square. It is round. It can slip or hold fast.
#198-Nobody Does it Better Our Webelos Woods campout, a Scout store update, making memorization not boring, and kicking families out are some of the topics on tap. Links: Scouting Pennants- http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01CLO&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=CO_MISCELLANEOUS&C3=&C4=&LV=2&item=199SP&prodid=199SP^8^01CLO& Hard times are good for philanthropy- http://www.statesman.com/search/content/news/stories/local/2009/10/08/1008volunteer.html Eight-Year-Old Cub Scout Saved His Father by Calling 911- http://denverboyscouts.org/openrosters/DocDownload.asp?orgkey=1700& Tonight's show sponsored by Badge Magic Join…
The October 2009 issue of Scouting magazine is available at the magazine website. This issue has articles of interest to Cub Scouters on the following subjects: Wrangling Tiger Cubs. Link Obesity/New Annual Health and Medical Record. Link How to Get Cub Scouts to Settle Down.
Podcast number 18. As promised last time, I've done something a little different – I have a guest! Shawn Cleary from the True North Scouting blog and podcast was good enough to join me for a chat on Sunday afternoon / morning depending on your time zone!
As we previously reported, Cracker Barrel is attending the 2009 National Outdoor Adventure Summit all week at Philmont Scout Ranch. We'll be blogging infrequently but Twittering often. Click here for our Twitter page. It's quiet today, so we're meeting to discuss ways to make Scouting magazine even better for readers.
Baden Powell once said, "A Scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens." I think that these are wonderful words to live by and I try to do just that. All scouts and scouters deserve to move on within the scouting movement and grow through continuing education.
I recently received a comment from a fellow named Scott. He was commenting on the "Self express yourself out" post. He writes; "You should also be clear about not judging without being judged. We have Scouts from in our city Troop waiting for you to point out how they don't fit in.
Eagle Scout Suspended for having a tiny pocketknife in his car parked on school property. Cub Scout Suspended for eating lunch with his pocketknife-fork-spoon. Zero-tolerance policies are all the rage. The problem with "zero" is that there is no leeway and no way to use the brain God gave you with which to think.
Well, when October comes around, we all know what time it is … PUMPKIN TIME ! This year, the church had a Fall Festival in conjunction with the unloading of the pumpkins. There were all sorts of activities for the kids, and most of the church organizations sold home-made wares in support of the mission teams.
If you've been paying attention to the news lately, you've probably caught another rash of Scouts, good kids, being suspended under Zero Tolerance Weapon policies. Zachary Christie, a first grader, was suspended for 45 days after bringing a multi-utensil tool that he used camping to school.
New Content for Boy Scouts
I just received the 2011 Philmont registration packet. It looks like the nice folks at Philmont are making an effort to be a bit more flexible with their height/weight limits for youth, and maybe adults. From the packet: " For participants under 21 years of age who exceed the maximum acceptable weight for height, the Philmont…
Two Scout-related stories of the application of zero tolerance policies ( here and here ) have been making the rounds of late so I am taking the opportunity to comment on the concept of zero tolerance. 'Zero tolerance' became a familiar term in the 1990's as an outgrowth of a belief that the inflexible enforcement of minor…
3 Vote On Idea Across the country we face various degrees of access to schools and hence to youth. Although I was shocked to learn that less youth are actually trick-or-treating these days due to increasing safety concerns, the fact remains that Halloween is the one day where children literally come to us.
The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation – North America (AMSAT-NA) is supporting the 52nd Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) Scouting event by dedicating AO-51 operation to the event. You can learn more about the AO-51 satellite on the AO-51 Info page . For October 17th and 18th, the AO-51 QRP repeater will be allocated for JOTA use.
Chief Scout Executive, Robert Mazzuca, send out an email about the National Executive Board taking another step to set up a permanent home for the National Jamboree and a premier outdoor adventure Scouting site. He also mentions more information being available in November; this is in line with previous rumors of a November 16th announcement.
BSA Press Release for New jamboree home: National Executive Board News I am writing to share some exciting news. Today, our National Executive Board took another significant step toward establishing a permanent home for future national jamborees and creating another premier outdoor adventure Scouting site.
Here are some healthy eating tips from Scouting magazine: Water instead of soda: -150 calories (12 oz. serving) Pretzels instead of chips: -80 calories (2 oz. serving) "Light butter" instead of "movie theater butter" microwave popcorn: -75 calories (5 cups) Skim milk instead of whole: -60 calories (1 cup) Whole-grain Fig Newtons instead of Chips…
Here are the questions to a Scout Skills IQ test: Where and when did the first Scout camping trip take place? What does GPS stand for? GPS is nifty, but the ever-reliable compass has been around for a long time.
The Backpacker Checklist application allows you to build a virtual inventory of all your camping gear and construct trip-specific lists to aid your preparations for backpacking or any other sort of camping trip. Aimed at backpackers but not limited to backpacking trips users can create car camping or cabin camping lists.
A portion of a Boy Scout Camp in New York is being sold again. The camp known as Camp Toad Hollow was in operation from the 1920s up until the 1980s when it was sold by Greater Niagara Frontier Council to the Linde Division of Union Carbide Corporation, which planned to use it as a…
Climbing pioneer Royal Robbins was the first to solo climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, but he conquered another mountainous hurdle long before he ever donned a climbing harness: the mean streets of Los Angeles. After a crime-riddled start to his childhood, Robbins found a new passion: the Boy Scouts.
1 Vote On Idea So we all know that Youth Protection Training (YPT) expires every two years and with out YPT you're not a trained leader. In the Council I serve, many adults will take YPT, and the other training courses and say "PHEW!!
For up-to-the-second updates from Cracker Barrel about this week's National Outdoor Adventure Summit at Philmont, make sure to check us out on Twitter. Follow @cbblog. Or click here .
Camping is the backbone of the Boy Scouts of America. Super campers get to join the Order of the Arrow . We dream about it, look forward to it each month (you do camp each month, right?), teach the skills and walk the walk.
Here are the answers to the questions: 1. Scouting's first camp took place in 1907 on Brownsea Island, off the coast of England 2. Global Positioning System 3. Compasses appeared in China about 1,000 years ago 4. Webmaster and Leave No Trace Trainer 5.
Working on adding a InsaneScouter widget to the site. Having problems but they should be resolved shortly. Thanks for your patience. Yours in Scouting Service Mark W Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 1616 Great Alaska COuncil Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08
One of the more important Positions in the NCCS or National Catholic Committe on Scouting is that of the Vice President of the Committee. Recently the Vice President has passed away. Let our prays and thoughts be extended over him and his family.
Been approved by National Council. Just waiting to recieve my LOA or Letter of Acceptance. Can't wait to see which position I will get, I will probably not get subcamp staff but that is okay. Yours in Scouting Service Mark W Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 1616 Great Alaska COuncil Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member NSJ '05…
In this special "low-IQ" edition, in my seventh Scouting podcast I discuss: Feedback from previous podcasts Favorite Cub Scout memory – A 3-mile night-time hike as a Tiger Camping tip – Using a torpedo level for your camp stove Leader's tip – Snacks at den meetings "Just Say No" – To awards baggies Scouting discussion – I really show my…
Hello fellow Scouters, In this special "low-IQ" edition, in my seventh Scouting podcast I discuss: Feedback from previous podcasts Favorite Cub Scout memory – A 3-mile night-time hike as a Tiger Camping tip – Using a torpedo level for your camp stove Leader's tip – Snacks at den meetings "Just Say No" – To awards baggies Scouting discussion – I…
The Trailhead (formerly "News Briefs") in the October 2009 issue of Scouting magazine includes the following stories of interest to Cub Scouters: Tour permits are now online Preserve America's Waterways Initiative Celebrate the Adventure photo contest Adventure Base 100 "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" film by Ken Burns "Scouting For Adventure" series on the…
1 Vote On Idea A Scout leader recommended that on line training courses have noted, the estimated time needed to complete & if the course must be taken without breaks. Comments (0) Technology
In this we talk about Woodbadge, Character, The Order of the Arrow, and Electronic Media. Join Scoutmaster Jerry for a discussion on hot topics that are popping up around the table in Scouting circles. Thanks for listening. Have a Great Scouting Day! Join the forum discussion on this post - (3) Posts Share and Enjoy:
Cracker Barrel sat in on a presentation about the 2010 jamboree last night, and there's some breaking news to report. The jamboree committee has brought on five familiar food vendors to serve visitors, participants, and staff at the jamboree. The vendors are: Burger King, Chick-Fil-A, Subway, Dunkin' Donuts, and Freshens smoothies.
11 Vote On Idea It would be great if we at the council could look up a users id from their person profile or some where Comments (1) Other
I am missing Philmont and starting to think it is time to go back to Scouting's paradise. Here is a short excerpt from my 1992 Philmont journal: Harlan Camp is a welcome site. My right foot has just joined the left in protest.
-5 Vote On Idea I was disappointed to find out that the United Health Care insurance plans purchased by BSA pay for "therapeutic abortion." Calling some abortions "therapeutic" is the UHC attempt to pass off some abortions as medically necessary.
World Scouting Jamborees – the name being derived from "jambo", the Swahili term for "hello" – of which there have been 21 since 1920 the latest held in the Uk in 2007, may be coming to an end. The new ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority) requirements may well mean that Jamborees in the UK are no longer able…
Yesterday, I spent some time chatting with scouts on the Internet at the annual JOTI/JOTA and if you have never conversed with scouts in another country; I would really recommend that you do so. Talking with scouts in another area is a great way to create new and lasting friendships and you will learn what…
I finished adding the gadget or widget I wanted to but unfortunately it required me to make a few minor adjustments to my template. This I believe has cause the blog to ac somewhat irregularly and take longer to load.
This kind of relates back to a post I made in July about Leaders refusing to accept girls in their Group. Well, it now seems that a different Group has been refusing to accept girls (despite having to since 1st January 2007) and that their District has removed them form their roles.
The Boy Scouts of America is nearly 100 years old. This is a video placed on Youtube that covers the reasons why Scouting is so important and why we should continue to support it during the next 100 years. Subscribe to "A Scoutmaster's Blog" at http://www.blogger.com/feeds/28330606/posts/default
According to Green Mountain Council : As part of the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Scouting, the United States Post Office in Barre will be using a special postmark on October 29. This postmark will honor the first Boy Scout Troop in Vermont.
JOTA/JOTI 2009 Half a million Scouts, 6500 actions for environment Since last Friday, thousand of Scouts from all-around the world have met via Air-waves and Internet. At the World Scout Bureau radio station, the JOTA international team welcomed 50 Scouts and Guides de France and Portuguese Scouts.
There have not been many feature films about Scouting made during the decades. Most people involved with Scouting have heard of a little film by Walt Disney called Follow Me Boys , but I bet most people would be hard pressed to name another five movies that include Scouting as a major part of the plot.
The better part of valor is discretion. Bravery (valor) is important but it may be that it is more important to avoid some situations rather than brave them. If, for some unlikely reason, I should find myself in the middle of the road I will not panic but bravely manage the situation as best I…
You already know that the 2010 National Scout Jamboree will be the best, most exciting, fun-filled, and safest jamboree ever. But now there's another superlative to add to the mix: "most connected." Thanks to a unique partnership with AT&T, the site at Fort A.P.
Podcast number 19. This is part two of the conversation I had with Shawn Cleary from the True North Scouting blog and podcast. This time we talk about camp fire, songs & skits, Scouting both internationally and locally and the enthusiasm of the Scouts.
Here's an inspirational video for the 100th Anniversary of Scouting.
New Activity for Boy Scouts
Crow at As The Crow Flies writes about her minimalist approach to a mess kit: A Vagabond's guide to kitchenware and dishwashing Whether you are on the road, trail or home this is a simple system for cooking and cleaning that will save you time and water: Cook dinner in pot Eat heartily, out of…
Hello fellow Scouters, As you know, I'm always looking for good camp coffee (maybe to the point of obsession!). One thing that I've never considered is instant coffee, because instant coffee is usually just plain terrible. Recently, however, Starbucks has come out with their own "Via" line of instant coffee.
-7 Vote On Idea At a recent Scouting event that was attended by several Eagle Scouts, my wife was somewhat troubled by the way several of our young men, Eagle Scouts, were conducting themselves at the banquet table. It appeared they had no training on how to properly handle a fork in such a setting.
Join the forum discussion on this post - (2) Posts Share and Enjoy:
The Central Minnesota Council, BSA had some very special guests pay a visit on Wednesday, September 2, 2009. Ed Basar, Gordon Draper, David Berger, Don Cimo, William D'Hondt, Kenneth Mills, Ken Norin , members of Team 9 of the "A Century Of Values" RV Road Tour, had arrived in town for the council's 100 Years Of…
Here's the new Leave No Trace Trainer patch for the troop leadership position starting in January. I have not yet seen the requirements or expectations of holding that position, except for rumors that completing an official "Leave No Trace Trainer" course is required before wearing the patch.
BSA Supply Group has a new emblem ($1.19 each) that you can use to recognize boys who demonstrate the Cub Scout motto . Link Posted in CUB SCOUTS, Patches
Once again the BSA has come out with more on line training: Physical Wellness. Physical Wellness covers everything a person needs to know about getting back into shape. Yes, even I have to do a better job of staying fit and I also could stand to lose some extra pounds.
2 Vote On Idea Can we change the name of the Webelos program. When I speak about it to 4th and 5th graders I get a lot of laughs and disappointed faces. "We Blow" is what most of the kids hear.
With millions of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers heading to national parks, state parks, and other public land each year, there's bound to be some irreversible harm done to nature. But the point of Leave No Trace is to minimize that harm.
It's nearly a year since I produced my first podcast and since then I've produced another 19. A few thoughts so far. As I reflect on the podcasts I've done so far, I know that the quality has been variable!
This time, Phoenix area boy scouts will be on the receiving end of a good turn when Del Taco raises funds to help more than 430 scouts attend the 100th Anniversary National Scout Jamboree next summer. All Phoenix area Del Taco restaurants will donate 20% of sale proceeds from 11 am – 8 pm on October…
#199-One Is The Loneliest Number OK boys and girls, we're covering the new beltloops and pins, including the Video Game BL & pin requirements. Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts Share and Enjoy:
The October 2009 Cubcast from BSA National is available (free). Part 1 has ideas for den meetings and more utilizing the November " Cub Scout Salute " theme. Part 2 has information on Webelos-to-Scout Transition and MyScouting . Part 1 mp3 file Part 2 mp3 file [ Photo: FreeDigitalPhotos.net ] Posted in Citizenship, Cub Scout Salute, CUB SCOUTS, Tech, Webelos…
To the dismay of my kids and most... it is true that we never stops learning. No, not always in a class room, but as we move through life there are ample opportunities to learn and to continue to grow.
Over a century volumes of guidance has been offered to Scoutmasters yet none is so effective as that of the founder of the worldwide Scouting movement Robert Baden-Powell A boy carries out suggestions more wholeheartedly when he understands their aim.
0 Vote On Idea Getting commitments from volunteers to attend an all day Saturday " Day of Training", Pow-wow, or University of Scouting is getting more and more difficult. One of our Cub Leaders forwarded this idea for consideration. It's a"Brown Bag Scouting" concept.
2 Vote On Idea There are so many road signs advertising directions to churches, fraternal organizations, etc. I suggest we add road signs in every community pointing the way Scout Service Centers and Scout Shops. Comments (1) Volunteers
6 Vote On Idea our council gets several requests a week (up to several a day at times) for a "complete list of all training in our unit." and currently this is only able to be accomplished by going in to each adult in the unit individually.
It's Halloween next week, and the search for costumes inevitably leads you to the staples of the season: witch, ghost, zombie, or vampire. But each season, some people consider dressing themselves as Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts. And apparently it's enough of a problem that at least one Scout Shop has chosen to address the…
1 Vote On Idea I know that donations made to the United Way and designated for BSA are not put into FOS - the donor gets a contribution statement from United Way - not us. Unfortunately, many of our donors don't understand why they can't pay their FOS pledge with their United Way gifts.
This coming weekend our Cubs are off to camp with another local Pack from our old District. We've been doing a joint camp with them for quite a few years now and it's always an enjoyable weekend and the Cubs make new friends and renew old friendships.
Just wanted to let you all know that I'm still alive and haven't givebn up blogging or anything like that. I have just been extremely busy lately with a lot of things in school and such that I just haven't had the time to just sit and write.
The most unfair thing about life is the way it ends. I mean, life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time. What do you get at the end of it? A Death! What's that, a bonus? I think the life cycle is all backwards.
Just wanted to give you a update on how my application is going. As you know I have recieved Council, Local, and National Approval. I am just waiting on my LOA which probably got held up in the system because I choose a area that is supposedly already full, so hopefully then will get it…
1 Vote On Idea My office staff tells me that effective January 1, 2010, labels for bulk mail need to have all information in all capitalized format, no commas anywhere, and some other changes. Will we have a soft-ware update to accomodate these changes?
21 Vote On Idea My office staff tells me that effective January 1, 2010, labels for bulk mail need to have all information in all capitalized format, no commas anywhere, and some other changes. Will we have a soft-ware update to accomodate these changes?
Have you seen the new Leave No Trace Trainer and Webmaster leadership position patches? I mean actually looked at the real patch? Here's an image for another look, along with a standard patch. These are to be worn by scouts in these positions of responsibility.
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), an Eagle Scout, announced that the Senate has passed a resolution he cosponsored to recognize February 8, 2010, as "Boy Scouts of America Day" in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts. "Being a Boy Scout helped me build character and appreciate the outdoors.
A 10-year-old boy is being hailed as a hero. He says he used what he learned in Cub Scouts to save his teacher's life. KTRK reports.
Tony 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. Cubanapolis (or Cubanapolis 400 ) is a fun derby where boys put on boxes that looks like cars and race each other (by running).
Hallowe'en is coming up fast, and there are plenty of Haunted Houses in our area to go to (including at Camp Rock Enon this weekend). This fundraising effort by our council shows the kind of project that can be accomplished when folks make an idea happen.
-1 Vote On Idea A district chair in our council had a wonderful idea that has been working really well. He has started a campaign to ask churches to do a second offering on behalf of scouting. At his church alone $865 was raised in new money just last month!
-17 Vote On Idea A district chair in our council had a wonderful idea that has been working really well. He has started a campaign to ask churches to do a second offering on behalf of scouting. At his church alone $865 was raised in new money just last month!
Hello fellow Scouters, If you are looking for an easy-to-make and great tasting Dutch oven dinner for your Scouts, consider Little Smokies in a biscuit! You and your boys will love them! Here are the ingredients: 1 tube of refrigerator biscuits (makes 10).
If you've been wondering when KISMIF.org would have its own Twitter account, wait no more. You can now get tweets that inform you of KISMIF.org updates by following "KISMIForg" on Twitter. Link Posted in CUB SCOUTS, Tech
Video Games is one of the forthcoming new Cub Scout belt loops for the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program . I have received from an unofficial source this set of requirements for the new award: Requirements Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts may complete requirements in a family, den, pack, school, or community environment.
I talk about the values of having trained leaders, and the core values of Cub Scouting I talk about what training has done for my pack and the payoff. I also talk about the core values of Cub Scouting and how they compare with the Scout Law, plus a brief explanation of what the Cub…
Skateboarding is one of the forthcoming new Cub Scout belt loops for the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program . I have received from an unofficial source this set of requirements for the soon-to-be available award: Requirements Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts may complete requirements in a family, den, pack, school, or community environment.
The National BSA Museum has announced some new Webelos workshops for November. New Geologist Workshop Dates/Times November 8 2pm New Scientist Workshop Dates/Times November 21 10:30am November 21 12pm November 21 2pm November 21 3:30pm November 22 1:30pm November 22 3pm Registration Information Payment must be made at the time of reservation-no exceptions.
Now that I have been playing around with my Flickr account and adding pictures to the site (over 1400 so far), I thought I would share a few of the Flickr groups that are dedicated to sharing pictures of Scouting taken in the United States and around the world.
This week's video is OA based and was shown at the NOAC in 2006. Enjoy and W.W.W.!
Here is a request for help to support a fellow Eagle Scout in need of our assistance: I've recieved a few messages about Matt the Eagle Scout who was suspened from school for 4 weeks for a 2 inch pocket knife in his car.
Yours in Scouting Service Mark W Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 1616 Great Alaska COuncil Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08
Yours in Scouting Service Mark W Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 1616 Great Alaska COuncil Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member NSJ '05 WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08
#200-Wicked Game It's the big 2-0-0! Tonight we cover a possible urban legend, snacks at meetings, a treasurer problem follow-up, Scout museum ideas, reaction to the Video Game Beltloop, signing Webelos books efficiently, and discussing who's got YOUR back. Links: Autistic boy saves his teacher's life- http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local& Tonight's show sponsored by Badge Magic Join the…
Hiking is one of the forthcoming new Cub Scout belt loops for the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program . I have received from an unofficial source this set of requirements for the soon-to-be available award: Requirements Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts may complete requirements in a family, den, pack, school, or community environment.
Applications for Eagle Scout scholarships for 2010 are now available at www.nesa.org . Eagle Scouts who apply for a college scholarship must use the correct application, which is a mandatory requirement. The 2010 applications can be found here: http://www.nesa.org/applications.html In 2009, just over 4,500 applications were received for the 109 scholarships awarded.
