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Today's the day! Grab your BSA Centennial Silver Dollar from the U.S. Mint. Beginning at noon Eastern time, collectors across the country can order the $39.95 proof version (pictured) or $33.95 uncirculated version of the coin. Once the order window opens, click either link above to go directly to that product page.
#74-BSA100 Part 1 We're back, kind of. This show was recorded mid-January, so some of it is now dated. We discuss what BSA is up to to celebrate the 100th Anniversary, including the logo, TOS Parade, racing, and Adventure Base 100.
13 Vote On Idea We need to use sound business practices at looking at the cost of shipping items from supply division. First if we make an order as a group of items than it should be shipped as a group of items.
Being prepared is not only knowing what to do or having the right gear. Skill and gear absent awareness of surroundings it is of little use. Awareness is a contextual understanding of the relationships between environment, action and resources. Awareness is taking it all in, seeing the whole picture before acting.
Just like waiting to get tickets for the big game, I was sitting here on my computer in line at 11:00am Central time for the USMint.gov to open the doors to the BSA commemorative coin vaults. Right at 11:00am, the site came to a screeching stand-still.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a soft spot for the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal. Recently, we just avoided being flooded out by hours. The C&O Canal Trust just posted 122 pictures of the flood damage done.
Today I: Contacted our Scout store to see if the Centennial rank badges have come in yet. Crossing my fingers. Tweeted registration information about the US Mint--necessary if you want the cheapest option to purchase a BSA Coin. Posted a piece (1 of 3) on Scoutsigns showing video of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in…
Sorry to get so off track, I really didn't mean too…or did I? I talk about service, recruiting, W2S ideas and the like…I answer some more questions about the new troop, and include some more links US Scouting Service Project – Great Resource for all things Scouting Traditional Boy Scouting – Excellent site for those looking for…
C&O Canal Trust The C&O Canal Trust helps to coordinate the public and needs of the C&O. They recently opened 3 of the lockhouses to the public for overnight stays . Yesterday, I showed you Part 1 of a video series filmed by Thomas A.
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) announced on Monday donation of $250,500 to the East Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America to fund a new facility at Camp Boddie. The new building will be named the PotashCorp ECO Lodge.
This week's merit badge is one that fosters lifelong skills that scouts can use in their every day lives. While working on this merit badge scouts will get the chance to learn one of the most valuable skills they can, how to cook.
Today I: Answered a lot of questions for our Venture Crew secretary about reselling candles as a fundraiser. I'm not sure this is a good idea, but the right questions will be asked and answered first. Posted second C&O Canal video on Scoutsigns.
Tomorrow begins the 12th stop of the adventure base 100 tour. It will begin in Tampa, Florida and this will be the final stop in Florida. This stop will be held in conjunction with the Miami-Dade County Fair. Directions are as Follows: From the South (The Keys/Florida City/Homestead/Kendall, etc.): 1.
I give my time freely as a Scout Leader because I enjoy it, benefit from it, and am able to give back to the community through it. No-one who volunteers is doing it entirely selflessly; all volunteers gain from their volunteering in at least one way.
Take a peak around BSA Adventure Base 100 at its stop in Jacksonville, Florida. Meet Jeff Swindling, a Scouter from Jacksonville, Fla. who made getting the BSA Commemorative Coin a personal mission years ago. Learn more about Adventure Base 100 at http://www.adventurebase100.org .
Greetings Scouts and Scouters! My 100 days project is turning into an every other day posting event: Tuesday: Day 43: Scout meeting night! Talked with SPL about his not being at the meeting. Found out who was his ASPL replacement and found everything under control.
Ran into this video awhile back... rediscovered it and need to share it. I originally ran into it from www.scoutmedia.org . Some really great life lessons common to all of us in the Scouting movement. Enjoy the Video. Have a Great Scouting Day!
BSA Supply Group now has for sale several different Cub Scout suncatcher kits . Each kit is $1.49 and includes five paint pots, an applicator, and a suction cup for hanging. The different designs include Akela , Baloo , Tiger Cub , and Blue and Gold . Link
My new senior patrol leader and I were talking at a bridge crossing ceremony. He is about two or three meetings into his term a the leader of his troop of 45 Scouts. Like all of his predecessors he's been caught in the headlights of the unexpected.
This Year of Celebration just keeps getting better. The National Council and National Capital Area Council have announced plans for the BSA Grand Centennial Parade. It will march in Washington, D.C., on July 25-one day before the 2010 National Scout Jamboree begins at nearby Fort A.P.
The U.S. mint released the BSA Centennial Coin this week, which makes the timing perfect for Adventure Base 100 to stop in Jacksonville, Fla., to chat with Jeff Swindling, a Scouter who helped make the coin possible. Adventure Base 100 will tour the country all year spreading Scouting's message to former, current, and future Scouts.
1 Vote On Idea There are circles/events/associations where women organize and network in most communities and female professionals can take scouting to them; these "ladies best practices" could benifit the organization if they were shared and discussed across the country.
-1 Vote On Idea Is there some way to simplify the process for registering volunteers in their second position? A good number of my volunteers gripe about having to fill in all their information for their second and third positions.
The Paw Paw Tunnel is a popular part of the Canal. Over 3000 feet long and hand-tunneled in the early 19th century. The C&O Canal Trust has a work day going on near here in early May. Across the border in West Virginia appears to be a large campground for the public.
Hard to believe that the mid-point of this 100 Days of Scouting challenge is right around the corner. I've picked up some great ideas from other 100 Days bloggers , as well as from the comments left behind. Hardly a day goes by that I don't learn something new about Scouting.
8 Vote On Idea I can't tell you how many times I have lost data, due to getting "booted" from ScoutNet. I will be in the middle of a batch, entering FOS Pledges and/or Payments, and then the system goes down.
Not all SMMs turn out like they do in your head...but this was the gist of mine Tuesday: Last time we talked of changing yourself and setting goals. While that is a great thing to do, please remember that nothing happens overnight.
Today I: Reviewed, an unpleasant job, the storage needs for our pack's supplies. Needs a lot of cleaning and tossing, probably this weekend. Posted an updated summary of the last 5 Days of Scouting on Scoutsigns. Posted the last segment of the 3-part video series (dated 1917) on the C&O Canal.
This week started out with a call that a fellow scouter had died suddenly. He will never know how much he inspired me to be a trainer. He really focused on getting us trained on the trained patch level. Mr.
With the IZOD Indy Car® Series returning from Brazil for the first domestic race of the season, Dale Coyne Racing and the Boy Scouts of America begin their year long trail of engagement with America's youth. This weekend, March 26- 28, the Boy Scouts of America #19 Indy Car will debut on American soil at…
After its inaugural race earlier this month on a wet track in Brazil, the No. 19 Boy Scouts of America IndyCar is ready for its U.S. debut. The car will race in the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Fla., beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Hello fellow Scouters, I was talking with another Scouter recently about how, when a Cub Scout Pack gets press coverage, it never seems to be about the good that pack did. You don't hear about the service projects. You don't hear about the Blue and Gold banquets.
17 Vote On Idea Scoutnet is handcuffing our abilities to fundraise for our local councils. We need the best software for the work we do. We need something like Raiser's Edge. We need the ability to keep track of our donors and how we contact them.
Today I: Pushed forward on an online version of Roundtable. I have a few ideas, and I'm soliciting opinions from the online Scouter community. Feel free to jump in the Comments and share your thoughts. Put the last of the Webelos Crossover paperwork together--then had to email it in because I can't get to the…
It happened again, I forgot to post last night! Day 45: - listened to The Leaders Campfire Podcast. I miss those guys! Keep up the great work! - Finalized Campout Schedule after time discussions with PL and some PL Advisors on time needed for Skills Demo - talked to last new parent about what to bring to campout.
Last weekend, we took the Group to one of the local supermarkets (M & S) to raise some funds by packing the customer's shopping bags (if they want us to!). We pack their bags and they give us a donation – at least that's how we hope it goes!
Today I: Found a box of Scout t-shirts that I've not gotten around to getting into use yet. Pulled the tags and got them into the washing machine. Pleh! What a busy weekend day! Just family time today...knowing what is coming tomorrow. Help me feel better about doing so little today--what did you do?
It was an up and down day for the Boy Scout of America IndyCar and driver Alex Lloyd during qualifying on Saturday. Alex will start 22nd in tomorrow's Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, after several unfortunate incidents dampened what started as a promising day for the team.
We're having our first multiple-Eagle ceremony this afternoon. These three guys in the Sharks patrol have been together since Tiger Cubs and have all earned Eagle over the past six months, so they decided to combine their ceremonies. They've got another patrolmate who's involved in theater for their MC and they have a theme of…
The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 were a little nervous when they arrived at the Melrose City Council meeting. They really did not know what to expect, and neither did I as their scoutmaster. The troop was at the meeting because the city council was going to pass a proclamation recognizing the 100th anniversary…
Today I: Cleaned all of the Scout boxes and stuff on shelves in the garage, and moved them to the workshop, shed and Scout storage area at church. Gutted the Scout storage area at church, and tried to organize. Way too small a space for a pack, troop and crew to share.
Left for Camp Cullom on Day 46 (Friday) at 5pm. We had 83 Scouts in tow with about 25 Adults to drive and some stayed. We got there with no problems and set up camp. What a great surprise it was when the 1st Year patrols (3 of them) set up their sites with the…
BSA National has released a 100th Anniversary Program Helps supplement for the April "Spring Into Action" theme. It contains additional theme-related activities and projects which promote the 100th Anniversary Celebration . Link (pdf)
Just take a look at any Norman Rockwell painting, Scout leaders with Square jaws sitting by a perfect fire, scouts praying under the dining fly and a Scoutmaster standing vigil over sleeping Scouts on a perfect star lit night. Takes our breath away when we imagine what that time in Scouting was like.
Hey there.. check out the Scoutmaster Minute Facebook page for a little video of my Troop and I camping out on the East Side of Mt. Hood. We were looking for another snow camp out.. turned out to be dry and warm and no snow.
Patrol system, Clean camp, Choosing a Troop, "Difficult" Scouts Scoutmaster Podcast 10 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.
Today I: Finished hauling stuff to the Scout closet in one building where the Cub Scouts meet. Finished hauling stuff to the new Scout area in the next building where the Boy Scouts meet. Delivered my hardcopy Webelos Crossover Weekend paperwork to the office.
Sorry this took so long (and I really mean so long, our Klondike was a little over a month ago) but here it goes. Last month our troop participated in our District's annual Klondike Derby. The Klondike was held at one of our council's boy scout resident camps, Camp Russell which is located in Woodgate…
Monday's after campouts are always a little busy as I gear up for the PLC meeting and recover from the weekend. - answered about 15 emails for new parents about the campout. Each one said what a great time their Scout had.
Stewart Perry writes about the application of things learned in Scouting: "It is an experience unlike any other: sleeping in pine straw den under a lean-to of tree branches, and catching and eating your own dinner. It's a taste of self-reliance for these young boys that teaches confidence and vital survival skills.
Today I: Started on the back half of the 100 Days of Scouting challenge! Woo-hoo! Helped a Scout, my son, get his camping stuff out of his room and back where it belongs...;-) Worked out the details for getting Scouts to our weekend camping trip next Friday.
Mid March 2010 Time to carve: 1.5 hours Finishing: 1.5 hour I wasn't too sure about this one... it seemed too easy. Well I started to make this slide out of pine but it didn't work out so well because the wood kept giving me raw edges in certain spots.
End March 2010 Time to carve: 2.5 hours Finishing: 1.5 hour It's funny, when I go looking for wood it always seems to be in the strangest places. A couple of weeks ago, I was in Vermont on business at one of our sites and stopped into a local hardware store.
After qualifying gremlins on Saturday relegated the talented Lloyd to starting 22nd for today's running of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the Boy Scouts Car would soldier forward during the race. Starting on what was a damp race track the surface was quickly drying after the night rains.
Here it is the halfway point! - posted on several boards about Program and about Eagle procedures - discussed an Eagle Project with a Life Scout - attended the PLC Meeting. It went very well, started Thorns and Roses for the month, talked about how the new Scouts were feeling welcome and how the older Scouts were really…
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Geddy Lee confirms summer Rush tour followed by new album Posted at 7:28PM | comments (38) Sandra Miller of Akron's 97.5 WONE had a brief conversation with Geddy Lee recently where Geddy confirms Rush's plans for touring/recording that were first mentioned by Alex Lifeson in a Toronto Globe and Mail interview last…
Welcome back to the Scoutmaster Minute, this is our 52nd show and we talk about our Duty to God. A promise that is made by each Scout and Scouter at every level, our Duty to God is an important part of Scouting and the formation of good citizens.
In the most recent column at 'Ask Andy': Hi Andy, I'm in the middle of an "issue" with one of the units in our district... It revolves around the first requirement for Eagle Palms as set forth by the BSA, and I can't find any BSA policy or definition of "active."
Forget "The Amazing Race" or "Survivor." If you're a Scout or Scouter, reality shows don't get any more real than "Scouting for Adventure." The original series, brought to you by Boys' Life and the Outdoor Channel, follows the high-adventure activities of Boy Scouts while also emphasizing wilderness skills, safety, and team building.
It's been just over a week since the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Silver Dollar went on sale, but already more than 60 percent of the coins minted have been sold. According to U.S. Mint sales figures reported on the Web site Coin Update News , 214,673 coins had been sold as of Sunday.
-2 Vote On Idea Would it be possible for the BSA to look into changing the position patches that read "chairman" to simply "Chair"? I personally have many volunteers, including a district chair, that are women. Comments (1) Supply
Last week I wrote about a new fundraiser the Boy scout troop was going to try, a Dad's Belgian Waffle supper. (Read the article HERE .) Since we currently have a small troop we needed to try something different from our usual breakfast fundraiser which requires more people to work then we currently have available.
Today I: Helped my SPL with questions about merit badge scheduling at camp this summer. Bit my tongue at just the right time. Trust me. Posted the summary of Days 46-50 on Scoutsigns. So nice out, it is hard to focus on Scouting.
Yes, I just needed an excuse to put up the picture of this awesome locomotive. The mid-point of the 100 Days have come and gone, and I was too busy to make sure it got posted properly on Scoutsigns. More days: Day 46 Day 47 Day 48 Day 49 Day 50 Share your thoughts--have you…
Union Pacific Railroad today unveiled its No. 2010 Boy Scouts of America locomotive , a bold tribute to Scouting's centennial celebration. UP No. 2010, seen above, is only the 14th commemorative locomotive in Union Pacific's nearly 150-year history. "We are deeply honored by the tribute Union Pacific has given to Scouting through the creation of the…
