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3 Vote On Idea There are a lot of Scouts and Scouters. It would be great to see a concerted effort to get them to use today's social networking tools to create positive buzz about Scouting. Imagine if half of the volunteers and professions posted a tweet every few hours.
Yesterday as I was reversing my car to leave work, I wasn't looking properly and hit a colleagues car! Luckily all I did was break my fog light and did no damage to the other car (phew!). However, what did shock me was that my colleague was genuinely surprised that I'd told her!
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On Monday 8th March various previously classified documents from the 1930' and 1940's were placed in the National Archive. One of these documents concerned the relationship between the Hitler Youth, Scouting and BP. Of course all the media then blew up and started implying that Scouting was hand in hand with the Nazis!
Wahoo! We're going camping tomorrow! There's still almost a foot of snow in most places, but the continual rain and above freezing temps the past few days have melted to grass in some places. That's spring as far as I'm concerned.
4 Vote On Idea The Internet Recharter process improves every year. We're very happy that SS# entry is now up to the registrars! However, when a unit gives a primary position to a Tiger Cub Adult Partner, no flag is issued to alert them that they will need an adult leader application and SS#.
One of the more interesting and colorful Scout activities I have ever heard of has just concluded. South African Scouts gather for an annual Kontiki competition; a weekend where Troops build a raft and live aboard it while participating in a series of events and challenges.
New Active Game for Cub Scouts
2 Vote On Idea When a unit recharters online, the report it spits out at the end include a list of dropped youth. Something that would be really helpful is to include the grades of those youth that dropped so we as executives can quickly identify major problems with dropping youth.
2 Vote On Idea receiving several comments about issues logging on and reporting, below is a cut and paste from a e-mail from one of my ADC's. seems to be a consistent issue: I want to report more Unit Commissioner Report MyScouting web site problems.
0 Vote On Idea A great volunteer who's visually impaired suggested an improvement to Scouting.org that I believe has merit. "The site might seem functional to most but I am visually impaired. I use a computer program to make all print larger for me and this is useful in most cases.
5 Vote On Idea When searching for a youth or adult using PAS Find: Person, it would be very helpful if it would indicate if the person is receiving Boys' Life. It shows when using PAS Find-Unit, Program- Unit and Program- Person, but not PAS Find-Person.
3 Vote On Idea While we already supply the shirt with the US flag already on the shirt can we do the same with the World Crest? Comments (0) Supply
Forbes Video Network has a feature video on Billionaire Stephen Bechtel Jr. The video talks a little about his youth, his Scouting experiences, and his donation for The Summit: Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve , in West Virginia.
A few Councils have started releasing the requirements for the much anticipated Geocaching Merit Badge. This was originally discussed as GPS/GIS Merit Badge. Keep in mind the Geocaching merit badge and pamphlet are not finalized yet, but these appear to be close to, if not, the final Geocaching Merit Badge requirements.
The March 2010 Cubcast from BSA National is now available. Cubcast is a monthly audio program for Cub Scouters from BSA National. (If your computer has speakers, you can probably listen by just clicking the links below.) Part 1 has ideas for den meetings and more utilizing the April " Spring Into Action " theme.
What was supposed to be a big day with Roundtable and Wood Badge Beading Ceremony turned into a night at home: - chatted with Scouting For Food Organizer about Saturday - sent out several emails to the new Scouts - updated TroopMaster - explored Geocaching Merit Badge for this month's campout, hope official BSA gets it act together It's…
Today I: Attended the council's Scout-o-Rama planning session. Attended the council's Centennial Committee meeting. Kept a close eye on the weather for the backpacking trip this weekend--rain and strong wind now, and seems to be getting worse as we get closer to it.
At least 20,000 Boy Scouts will volunteer to assist in various community projects on March 27 in the annual Scout Community Service Day. Twenty-five counties in Kentucky and southern Indiana will be targeted for this event in an effort to positively impact their city, town, and county.
Stephen Bechtel Jr. gave the BSA $50 million to help build Scouting's fourth high-adventure base. So it should come as no surprise that Bechtel believes in the power of the BSA. "I just felt this was something I could do to pay a little bit back to the Scouts for what I got from them…
6 Vote On Idea Can Internet Rechartering be updated to show grades of dropped youth? This would helpful to quickly identify a specific Cub Scout Den or age group or Boy Scout age group dropping and addressing it directly with the Unit Commissioner and Unit Leaders of that unit.
Today I: Advised parents of our backup plan in case weather becomes too severe tomorrow--I'd guess 80% chance of implementing it right now. Drove 3 hours to our next segment hike of the C&O Canal. For half of our Scouts, this is a first time to be backpacking...
Today I: Backpacked with the troop 10 miles, in rain and strong winds. Stayed reasonably dry and warm (writing this a day in advance, so this is wishful thinking...). The things we do for Scouting! What was your Scouting goal today?
4 Vote On Idea On the MyScouting website, the "Unit Tools" for Cub Scout Advancement - "Internet Advancement" - has no place to enter Tiger Rank and Awards and does not show these ranks and awards when entered by the council Scout office.
Mid Feb 2010 Time to carve: 18 hours Finishing: 6 hour I began thinking that I really wanted to come up with something special for my 50th slide and checking the packet I am working from the "Philippine Water Buffalo" was the next in line.
Late Feb. 2010 Time to carve: .5 hours Finishing: 1 hour It's funny how sometimes oppertunity strikes. Just as I was finishing with the last couple of members of "the Herd", I broke a bandsaw blade. Oddly enough, it just so happened I needed a part of a blade for my next slide.
Late Feb. 2010 Time to carve: 3 hours Other work: 1.5 Finishing: 1.5 hour This slide has special significant for our family. While looking for some wood for "the herd", I contacted my mother-in-law to see if my father-in-law had any cherry.
Mid March 2010 Time to carve: 0 hours Leather work: 2 hours Finishing: 0 hour And now for something completely different...no carving or woodwork. The only thing necessary to do with the wooden dowel was to cut it to size and glue the leather to it.
Today I: Rested from our escape from the C&O Canal backpacking trip! Unpacked my pack and processed the wet stuff--hung up tent to dry ( great tent , stayed dry in it all night). Scouting at a very personal level today--taking care of my own gear and myself.
So, you are a Boy Scout, or a Boy Scout leader, who has an iPhone or an iPod Touch. Did you know that there are a few apps available just for you in the Apple iTunes App store? Yep, that's right.
via scoutleadership.com An interesting new site promoting a book. Read a preview and participated in a survey. Looking forward to reading this one! Permalink | Leave a comment »
Busy weekend so I will try to catch up on 3 days total, 2 in the post: Friday: Worked my new schedule which is 8am - 4pm. It is a new challenge at work AND I will be able to leave at 4pm on Fridays and be at the Troop departure spot by 5pm for our…
Tis Sunday the traditional day of rest...not for your average Scouters :) - contacted several Scouts via email about different things (Merit Badge University, Eagle Projects, Troop Website, Firecrafter, Scouting For Fos od) - printed out OA Ballots and OA Election Report for OA Rep for OA Elections on Tuesday - created and emailed SPL new Uniform Inspection sheets…
#218-You Can Talk To Me Using social media for Scouting, Be A Scout, membership cards, newbie cheerleading, and more feedback on this Spring Break show. Links: Cub Scouts 2010- http://bit.ly/bL3LrN Scouting Podcast Widgets- http://bit.ly/9o3wbz Tonight's show sponsored by The Boy Scout Store Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts Share and Enjoy:
Anyone who reads this blog, realizes before long that our troop has a soft-spot for the C&O Canal. 184.5 miles of great backpacking or cycling fun. Except when it isn't. This is an excerpt from the C&O Canal Trust website : C&O Canal Declares Flood Emergency Flood Warning Expected heavy rainfall during the weekend of March…
OK.. we know what we must BE , we know what we must KNOW and now it is time to DO ... The Scoutmaster gives direction.. but understand this direction comes from many angles. Unlike a conductor, the Scoutmaster is not standing in front directing the band, he is offering advise and using Guided Discovery to get…
Meet Jacob Pekarek , an Eagle Scout with Troop 727. He's your host for last week's Adventure Base 100 stop in Houston, Tex. For his Eagle Scout project, Jacob took on an ambitious task: labeling 500 storm drains throughout the city with special discs to inform residents that storm water drains into Galveston Bay.
James O'Rourke is the mastermind behind this project, called MS Service Day. O'Rourke is trying to earn his eagle badge for the Boy Scouts and wanted to give back to those who are going through what his family is going through.
Ten Ways Adults Frustrate Youth Leadership, 4th of July Bonfire, 3rd and final installment of Adult to Youth Leadership Thanks for all the emails and comments! Most of you know that us blogging podcasters or podcasting bloggers (your choice) thrive on conversation with our readers and/or listeners.
100 Days of Scouting about came to a screeching halt the other night. We have had a lot of rain lately, causing the Potomac River to rise to flood stages. Before that happened we were camping along side of it .
Today I: Emailed someone who was upset with my depiction of homeschoolers in Scouting magazine article ( I was quoted ). Hopefully they see that I'm trying to encourage more contact between the Scouting and homeschooling worlds. Advised a new Scoutmaster on how to manage his troop's communications.
Take a peak around BSA Adventure Base 100 at its stop in Houston, Texas. Meet Eagle Scout, Jacob Pekarek, who is making a big difference protecting South Texas watershed areas with his ambitious Eagle Scout Project. If you haven't checked it out, http://adventurebase100.org takes you around the Adventure Base 100 exhibit and allows you to…
The Boy Scouts of America #19 Indy Car began the season with a race that saw 5 different yellow flags, rain and even a rare red flag before the timed race would see checkered flags. Alex Lloyd driving the #19 Boy Scouts of America car had an eventful day.
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Leadership is the keynote to success-- but leadership is difficult to define, and leaders are difficult to find. I have frequently stated that "any ass can be a commander, and a trained man may often make an instructor; but a leader is more like the poet-- born, not manufactured."
I heard about the new social media site called Facebook shortly after it started becoming popular, but I did not join it right away. I could not. Facebook started out as a site for high school and college students. I did not meet the requirements until they opened it up to the general public.
About mid February, I registered a URL for my district UC service and a toy for me. I wanted to see how google apps and sites tied together and how best to use it. You can get an awesome front end view from the Scouting units that have come to use Google apps.
I wrote back in February about the sad death of Stephen Young. This is a news item about his funeral. This is a celebration of that young man's life. Thanks to Lotta for bringing it to my attention.
As we are all aware, life is getting more and more expensive. Running a camp site has never been a cheap task, but of course these days it is getting more and expensive. So it's interesting to read that on of my local campsites, Barnswood , will be hosting a music type festival aimed at young…
Today I: Prepared for Camping Committee meeting tomorrow night. Explained to the Venture Crew's secretary how the spreadsheet with Venturer's Accounts works. Encouraged a couple of parents of soon-to-be Boy Scouts (currently Webelos Scouts) to join the troop's YahooGroup. Hectic, hectic, hectic...and busy, too!
Woops, forgot to post last night! Monday: - organized the Scout bag. Took my Scout box and extra files and built a Scout Bag with my new Wood Badge Staff bag. Apps, patches, books needed and always in the car ready for a meeting - worked on Gettysburg trip - started prep for Tuesday meeting Tuesday: - printed out…
The Final part of my great discussion with Mike Walton. As I wrap this lengthy show up I want to say that I had an absolute blast talking with Mike. Thanks for hanging in there, I know that this show is long, but I just could not find part of the discussion to cut.
The April 2010 ( Spring Into Action ) monthly theme emblem can now be ordered from BSA Supply Group. Each emblem is $1.29. Link
1 Vote On Idea I would like to see a 30-60 minute feed from Bob or other National employees on new resources, changes in policy, expected due dates for materials to reach our councils and other infomration. There are just too many emails coming our way and very few people, if any, can say they…
1 Vote On Idea I would like to see one preferred time management system for all council employees. We should train new employees on it and provide them with the appropriate tools and modules to ensure they are most effectively utilizing their time in achieving their goals.
1 Vote On Idea To save money on boarding, flights and expenses for training, why not have professionals do on-line training courses to complete their next level of training. Many universities are doing this. This would save councils a lot of money on training which could be put to other uses.
1 Vote On Idea Could we come up with a tracking mechanism that takes adult application information (email, phone contact, occupation, past scouting experience) and combines it with training records and awards to have an all-inclusive person report? This could be accessible to all field and management staff to be edited by need.
1 Vote On Idea We should come up with a tracking sheet for each unit that would give information such as: unit #, expiration date, charter on-time status, year end recruitment, monthly membership update, key leader contact, chartered organization, FOS contributions (last year v.
15 Vote On Idea It would be great if there was some kind of spreadsheet or grid that would show what training was required for different activities. Comments (0) Technology , health and safety
30 Vote On Idea During our council's rechartering process, we have found that there were many times when a person who was already registered in Scoutnet was not pulled-in on the recharter, and a new profile was created by the volunteer during this process.
You may have heard rumors that the Historic Merit Badge Program has been canceled. Not true. What is true is that the BSA is putting finishing touches on the program now, and the end result will be well worth the wait.
Do you recall the post at Scouting Magazine that got everyone excited about the Historic Merit Badge program? Carpentry, Signaling, Tracking, and Pathfinding merit badges are being resurrected for 2010 only as a part of the centennial celebration - a great idea!
Today I: Attended the Camping Committee meeting at our council office (2.5 hours). I learned a lot, as always, about things going on behind the scenes of our summer camp and council weekend camps. Spoke to our council's Summer Camp Director about posting short profiles and pictures on the camp's blog.
The day after a Troop meeting is always busy playing catch-up, recording things in TroopMaster and touching base with the SPL and others about next week... - entered OA Elections into TroopMaster - entered attendance from Scribe into TroopMaster - sent out Weekly Troop Email to Troop....237 different email addresses - found great Knotmaster program, took a look and…
Here's your first look at the BSA's No. 19 IndyCar in action at Sunday's São Paulo Indy 300 in Brazil. It's the first of several stops in the exciting debut season for BSA Motorsports . Rookie driver Alex Lloyd took the wheel of the Dale Coyne-sponsored car, but a slippery, rain-soaked track caused him to crash…
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Bit of an own goal there Mr. Al-Fayed ! It appears that a Group of Explorer Scouts who were in London were not allowed into Harrods as they were wearing their neckerchiefs! They were asked to remove them before they could enter, but to the Explorer's credit they said no as it is a part of…
The Patrol Leader Council (PLC) is one of the key elements of youth leadership within a Boy Scout troop. The senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, and patrol leaders use this monthly meeting to plan troop meetings, courts of honor, and the monthly outing.
-2 Vote On Idea Offer nationwide webinar supplemental training for volunteers or anyone who registers. Charge a small fee if needed. Select top trainers from around the country, limit to one hour with follow up questions to the local councils.
Today I: Commented on another 100 Days of Scouting blog. [This advice has come up twice in just the last week for me, so watch for a Scoutsigns post soon.] Organized Webelos Crossover paperwork . Emailed OA Dance Team Advisor to let him know I'd be happy to publicize their activities on blog, Facebook and Twitter.
Boy Scout Troop 68 recently honored another of its members who has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Alex K. is the troop's eighteenth Eagle Scout. That means it was time for me to create another slideshow for an Eagle court of honor.
Recently, I stepped down as an Assistant Commissioner and while being away from that part of the scouting program, I have found that several scouting friends and acquaintences do still approach me for counsel and advice on issues that they have within their respective units.
1 Vote On Idea Can national put together a site for professionals to take online courses to further our skill sets. An example: Time management Prospecting future donors Learning Microsoft Excel program Learning social networking Comments (0) Technology
The Center for Creative Leadership identifies seven critical leadership skills: Leading by motivating directing, delegating, managing Strategic planning. Managing change. Inspiring commitment. Resourcefulness. Persevering under adverse conditions. Being a quick learner. I am particularly drawn to the adaptive skills listed; managing change, resourcefulness, persevering under adverse conditions, and being a quick learner.
Thursday night is usually Roundtable and Eagle Boards. Missed both this month due to other obligations...still did some Scouting though... - updated weekly email because we (both the S4F Chair and I) forgot to put a time in the Scouting For Food flyer and email - talked to another new parent on the phone.
Beautiful Camp Rock Enon , from the new chapel. Today I: Verified that the crew's peanut order was turned in on time. Whew! Got the car ready for my training tomorrow--I'm going to be on a Camp Visitation Team this summer.
This Weekend Patrol Box begins with the weather. We have had a lot of it lately. Everything from having our Klondike camporee snowed out (and re-scheduled for early April) to being run out of the C&O on a backpacking trip.
I told @scoutdude that My storage arrangements for camping gear was a blog post so here goes. It all lives in my garage. We also have a pop-up, but I prefer to grab the tents and go as I can decide to go camping on the way home on Friday.
Today Starts the 11th stop of the 2010 adventure base 100 cross country tour. It will be held in Jacksonville Florida at the Saint Johns Town Center. The Exact Address is as follows: 4663 River City Drive Jacksonville, FL 32246 Driving Directions: St.
Here is the Adventure Base 100 video for Tampa, Florida. Yours in Scouting Service Mark W Assistant Den Leader Pack 69 Frontier District, Denver Area Council NSJ '05 Youth Participant '10 Subcamp 7 Youth Staff Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member WSJ '07 '11 Philmont AA '08
Just as the scouts learn outdoor skills, leadership skills, and life skills as they experience the adventure of scouting, Scoutmasters keep learning as they spend time in their "job". Attrition has always been one of my personal concerns and each year I try to improve the troop's retention ratio.
Today I: Drove 144 miles (per Google maps) to Camp Brady Saunders, near Richmond VA. Attended BSA Area Seven Camp Visitation Team training. Drove 144 miles back home. Sometimes there is something new and exciting to do for Scouting--camp inspections sound like a good excuse to get out and explore new camps!
4 Vote On Idea With the New BSA it would be so nice if every BSA employee whether in a Council or National would use the same format of firstname.last [email protected] in all small letters. We have new printer scanners and with all the different email addresses, some with small letters,some with caps it is…
I've just watched the below video from Cheshire's Network (18 – 25 year olds). It's an excellent advert to show what they get up to and is very professionally put together. Very impressive! Just a shame that our County's Network (Cheshire is less than 10 miles from where I live) isn't as organised or proactive.
Scouting For Food: Every year the BSA teams up with other organizations to collect food for local pantries and shelters. This morning we gathered at a local plaza and 52 Scouts split into 11 groups. Walking and collecting bags and boxes we returned to the plaza with our Trailer and loaded it up.
April's BSA Theme Today I: Printed out the April theme information for the PLC this afternoon. Supported the PLC meeting. That's all for today and Scouting--a busy day, but one I just had to monitor. How about you? What Scouting did you do today?
Here is a cool little device that I have fallen in love with.. It is the Nite Ize Figure 9 Check out the video. Have a Great Scouting Day!
The other night, as I was running the software for the pack's Pinewood Derby, the Patrol Leader for the troop came over to me with a suggestion. Before I go into that, let me explain... I run the software for the pack...1.)
Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted in over three weeks. The thing is lately I haven't had any really good post ideas so if you have any ideas or have a topic you would like me to research and post about leave a comment below or shoot me an email at [email protected] .
+ Today marks four years from date the first tweet was sent on twitter. If you would like to read more about the birthday of twitter you can read about it on mashable here http://mashable.com/2010/03/21/happy-birthday-twitter-2/ . OK so many of us use twitter for scouting.
Scouts, Explorers, and leaders were out in full force representing the Boy Scouts at the 2010 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade! This year's parade Grand Marshal, NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, dedicated the 249th NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade to the Boy Scouts of America in honor of our 100th Anniversary.
#219-Message In A Bottle Video games, volunteer signup websites, how to avoid or cure burnout, crossover ceremonies and Masonic scouters on tonight's show. Links: Hooded Venturing Sweatshirt- http://bit.ly/a3eydO Great Ideas for Camping with Kids - http://bit.ly/93ZjI8 The Answer Sheet – Video game hurts schoolwork of boys–study- http://bit.ly/cPunEg Tonight's show sponsored by Badge Magic Join the forum discussion…
Boy Scout Troop 68 has done pretty well with pancake and sausage breakfast fundraisers over the last two decades. On average, they have netted the troop over a thousand dollars per meal. We use this money for the Scout's camp funds and for equipment and program expenses.
Second chances, Wobegon Scouts, Three important resources, A Scout is Brave Scoutmaster Podcast Number 9 Thanks for all the emails and comments! Most of you know that us blogging podcasters or podcasting bloggers (your choice) thrive on conversation with our readers and/or listeners.
2 Vote On Idea ScoutNET needs some updates. The lag time on Scoutnet is getting worse. With more and more entries entered into the system daily it will continue to get slower due to too much strain on an outdated software program.
This week, Adventure Base 100 takes you to Tampa, Fla., where you'll meet Eagle Scout Patrick Stinson . Patrick, who has Down syndrome, has inspired others with his confidence and dedication as he earned Scouting's highest rank. "In Boy Scouts, I learned not to give up," he said.
Today I: Posted to Facebook and the blog that our council's rescheduled Klondike Derby is cancelled indefinitely. Notified the troop of the cancellation so we can punt for next weekend's camping trip. We do keep a backup in the works just in case.
We have 6 Webelos Scouts crossing over to our troop in a couple of weeks. Our SPL has been working with them this month to get them formed into a patrol--picked a leader, make a flag, and still working on the patrol yell.
Sunday was a day of rest. Only one Scouting activity today, writing a letter(s) of recommendation for an Eagle Scout. Today was full of Scouting Stuff: - got a tour of the new Council offices...a real tour too, behind the scenes and everything - went to the new Scout Shop and checked it out (bought a new…
Take a peak around BSA Adventure Base 100 at its stop in Tampa, Florida. Meet Patrick Stinson is an Eagle Scout, just like his older brother. However, unlike his brother, Patrick was born with Down Syndrome. Watch the story of this incredible young man, told as Adventure Base 100 visits the Strawberry Festival in Tampa…
