Browse by year
234 posts, oldest first.
Every decision in the world is made by the person who has the power to make that decision-not the "right" person, or the "smartest" person, or the "most qualified" person, and in most cases not you . If you influence this decision maker, you will make a positive difference.
Decision making in a Scout Troop is in the hands of the youth leadership; admittedly not the ‘rightest’, ‘smartest’, or ‘most qualified’ decision makers at times. Every decision in the world is made by the person who has the power to make that decision—not the “right” person, or the “smartest” person, or the “most qualified”…
#221-Tea for One Cub Scouts 2010 materials, having year-round Roundtables, training, some Pinewood Derby updates and 2 rants are in your show tonight. Links: An electronic PWD starter- http://bit.ly/cpNDMG Wordpress District Website- http://smscouting.org Tonight's show sponsored by ClassB.com Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts Share with Others:
2 Vote On Idea There are some listing mistakes online for Commissioner service. The Commissioner Manuals listing on scouting.org/commissioners has incorrect item numbers for the following manuals: Commissioner Fieldbook for Unit Service and Commissioner Helps for Packs, Troops, and Crews.
1 Vote On Idea As we all know, membership is our lifeblood. Without youth (and adult) members we cannot deliver our program and ultimately fulfill our stated purpose. We also know that there is an incredible depth of knowledge and experience within the BSA family when it comes to recruiting and retention.
2 Vote On Idea As recently stated by our Chief Scout Executive…"It is clearly our responsibility to continue to aggressively build and promote programs that contribute to healthier living for our Scouts." This statement can also be applied to our volunteers and fellow employees.
Today I: Helped a Scout pull together a merit badge notebook to help track all of his work and documents for the 8 different badges he is working on. Purchased several new merit badge books. Completed my backlog of reading Scout blogs!
More Scouters keep commenting on 100 Days , and some are even joining in. It is great to be a part of something that is helping to keep Scouting a part of daily life. Kind of like going to church on Sunday versus living like every day was a church day!
Another several days without posting but been very busy: Since Sunday I have: - finished my Troop Presentation for Wood Badge - organized my desk and contacted 2 Eagle Scouts about their Eagle Books coming back from National - stopped by Scout Shop and purchased 35 new 2010 Scout Badges for my new Scouts - worked on Scoutmaster's Agenda…
Welcome back to the Scoutmaster Minute, in this show we will talk about fixing your troop with the PLC. Inspired from an email I received from a loyal listener, we talk about the success of a Troop and that it starts with the PLC.
The Scoutmaster Minute Podcast- 53 The PLC fixing the Train Wreck - April 13, 2010 Welcome back to the Scoutmaster Minute, in this show we will talk about fixing your troop with the PLC. Inspired from an email I received from a loyal listener, we talk about the success of a Troop and that it starts…
Sunday I had a discussion with a Scout in my Jamboree Troop, he was conflicted because of his commitments to both his High School band in which he is a leader, first chair and peer leader etc. and his opportunities to be a leader within our Jamboree troop.
From the New Yorker Magazine...
Are you looking for an adventure? Come celebrate the 100 with Adventure Base 100 as it rolls into Atlanta. This unique, interactive 10,000-square-foot campus, will be in Atlanta on Friday, April 16 from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday, April 17from 10 a.m.
Today I: Updated a previous 100 Days of Scouting , to reflect a Scoutmaster Conference successfully had on our campout Saturday. Continued my quest for a fairly inexpensive, 15 degree-ish, mummy-style sleeping bag. I'm a big guy and not having much luck.
Question: How many miles of trails cut across the United States? Answer: More than 200,000. Question: Who knows the beauty of those trails best? Answer: The Boy Scouts of America. That's what makes National Trails Day the perfect opportunity to celebrate the great outdoors with your unit.
12 Vote On Idea I know we've started the process of creating a database of alumni with the alumni connection program, but I would like to see additional information asked of Scouting alumni. Thinks like "Are you an Eagle Scout?"
I was listening to some music at work this afternoon when the Village People's Y.M.C.A. was played. Suddenly, I was transported back to summer camp several years ago. Troop 68 liked taking songs, changing the words, and making a new campfire song.
The new Baloo's Bugle is available. Baloo's Bugle is a helpful monthly unofficial newsletter with games, activities, ceremonies, puzzles, crafts, and other ideas for den and pack meetings. This one covers the May 2010 " In the Spotlight " theme. Also inside is more information about the Cub Scouts 2010 timeline.
The Adventure Base 100 journey continues to Charlotte, N.C., where you'll meet the Whitlock family. Three generations of Whitlocks have been in Scouting, meaning their involvement spans 70 of the BSA's 100 years of existence. Impressive! Their long history in the BSA proves that "Scouting is much greater than any individual."
When we told you about Union Pacific's BSA locomotive last month, were you dreaming of ways to get that 207-ton beauty in your living room? Well, a solution is coming that won't require you to knock down the walls of your home.
2 Vote On Idea From: James Welch, Troop 66, Palo Alto, California [email protected] As a Troop Committee Chairman and a merit badge counselor, I have often wondered why the content of the merit badge pamphlets is not available online. I know that the requirements for the merit badges can be seen online, but the only…
Today I: Finished cleaning up from the camping trip this weekend. Yuck. Mailed in the check for the crew's fundraiser...as they get ready to launch another one. Busy crew! Very motivated. Started fielding questions from new Boy Scout parents...;-) Researched sleeping bag options suggested on yesterday's post .
Here is the video from Charlotte, North Carolina. Please Enjoy. Also just wanted to issue a update which is, I am officially registered and have transferred my National Jamboree Staff registration to Denver Area, this is due to the fact that it seems I will be spending most of my time in the denver area.
End March 2010 Time to carve: 2.5 hours Finishing: 1.5 hour Delicate does not begin to describe this project. I had to pick wood that would not crack or break while I carved out the fine details of this slide.
End March 2010 Time to carve: .5 hours Finishing: 1 hour One of the easiest slides I have made thus far! I had some thin pile wood scrap around (from another project) and a quick trip around with a jig saw did the trick.
Today was the first day of Wood Badge course. I was very happy to get a great group. They are enthusiastic and energetic. My 1st presentation went off well and I was very relived. Day 2 starts in 6 hours so off to bed.
Late Late March - Early April 2010 Time to carve: 4 hours Finishing: 1 hour I like slides, sometimes, that don't require a loop to be attached to the back of it. The neckerchief simply passes through the body of the slide.
The countdown to the 2010 National Scout Jamboree is about to drop into double digits. Just 100 days remain until the jamboree begins at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. This summer's jamboree isn't just any jamboree. It's "The best, most exciting, fun-filled, safest jamboree ever!"
Early to Mid April 2010 Time to carve: 4 hours Finishing: 1 hour At 7 1/2 inches this is the largest slide I have carved to date. (Actually the Giant Titanus Beetle is larger but that is just because of the antennas.)
24 Vote On Idea This isn't new, but... When will the adult tab of new registrants have space for the cell phone number? It is GREATLY needed. The extra time spent adding it can be used elsewhere. HELP!!!!! Please get it added! Comments (1) Applications & Registration
A reader asks: "Our troop seems to think we should hold off the scouts until they are older (ie end of Junior Year) to do their Eagle Projects and try to control the pace of advancement in the troop because they want the scouts to be more "mature" and stick around to lead the younger…
Today I: Uploaded a couple of hundred pictures from recent camp-outs with the Scouts. Helped a parent understand that I'm not going to watch her Boy Scout until they get there 30 minutes after the meeting ends. Sigh. Planned a family outing with my Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturer to a National Park tomorrow--all…
OK, so back in January the blog over at Scouting Magazine put out the information on the Historic Merit Badge Program. Unfortunately this information was put out before the program was ready to roll and caught most of the scouting community off-guard (including me) when they posted that the program was being postponed.
Ok, it's Youth protection month and everyone should be checking their training cards to make sure they are current in their training. The online version is actually pretty good and while it is a bit long, it sure is better than dedicating a Saturday Morning listening to a less than dynamic trainer ramble on about…
Today I: Helped a Tiger build a project at Lowe's (free kits twice a month!). Confirmed plans for PLC tomorrow night. Encouraged a Scout beginning on the Painting merit badge. Yes, scraping the old border off the walls first is important!
It is time to join Scoutmaster Steve and Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, Around The Scouting Campfire . In this episode they discuss city proclamations about the Boy Scouts of America's 100th anniversary and Scouting For Food, some iTunes reviews, reasons you might be a Boy Scout, and gopher guts (the song).
It is time to join Scoutmaster Steve and Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, Around The Scouting Campfire . In this episode they discuss city proclamations about the Boy Scouts of America's 100th anniversary and Scouting For Food, some iTunes reviews, reasons you might be a Boy Scout, and gopher guts (the song).
Today I: Attended the Patrol Leader's Conference. Two hours of Scouting where lots was planned--including election cycle, Scout-o-Rama, and weekend service project with campout. Two hours is enough Scouting for today--lots of work to be done to make May a success. SPL has a lot on his plate this month.
Hello fellow Scouters, This past Saturday, my council (the San Diego-Imperial Council) had its annual Scout Fair, in the parking lot of San Diego's football stadium. It's an event they hold each year, and every year it's so much fun.
What an incredible week of Scouting: Wednesday: arrived at Camp Belzer in to help finish up set up for Wood Badge C-33-10 - attended Wood Badge Staff dinner - received my 3rd Bead, then the Course Director gave us all a gift of Wood Badge Beads from Gilwell Park!
New Activity for All scouts
#222-Better Skateboarding, new leaders, Centennial Patch ribbons, visiting Boy Scout Troops, OA problems, getting fit, 5 things Cub Leaders should remember, and setting proper parent expectations are on the show tonight. Links: Skateboarding Scouts- http://bit.ly/b32Pxz NJ Pack Website- http://twt.tl/Vcv3XMd Another Pack Website- http://bit.ly/bWqFvU 5 Things Cub Scouters Shouldn't Overlook- http://bit.ly/dxrpTP Watch Fox's footage of Jeff…
Great news from the Scout Association today. The results of the 2010 census are in and the number of young people Scouting in the UK is up again! The membership now stands at 499,323, which is 3.45% up on last year!
Alex Lloyd finally got his trip to the Beach for one of Indy Car's signature races, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Alex Lloyd driving the #19 BSA car has won numerous times on the Indy Lights series in 2007 but has never run on the streets of Long Beach before.
Today I: Swapped messages with a new Scouter in my area via Twitter. So now we can meet in "real" life. Updated council and camp Facebook pages. Looked an Kelty 3-man tents at Costco...hmmmm....$57 each. How are you doing with Scouting this spring?
Mistakes, Hunter Stew, Eagle Scout Drama 2, Tour guides or leaders? Scoutmaster Podcast 13 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.
I really like the Centennial rank badges. Whether for Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts, having that "2010" on it signifies something special. This whole season of Scouting is something special. The Scouts we have in our pack, troops and crews now will be in their 50s and late 60s when the sesquicentennial rolls around--older than…
What Would You Do?' AKA 'Front Line Stuff' question for the next issue of Scouting Magazine ; During free time on a recent troop camp-out, a Scout from the Fox patrol thought it would be fun to steal the Rattlesnake patrol's flag.
New Content for All scouts
New Content for
#75-Feedback It's an old show, but it does cover the feedback we've gotten since October or so. We hope you enjoy it. CC: On a personal note, I would like to dedicate this show to my Scouting friend and co-host, Steve.
I hit the ground running when we returned from spring break in Switzerland and haven't put any time into posting here. But, there's lots to share: massive new group of scouts great campout OA ceremonies more Eagle scout projects and ceremonies training, training, training more merit badges sumemr camp prep I'll get to those over…
The Occoneechee Council has announced that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is now offering four historic merit badges in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of BSA. Scouts will have the opportunity to earn merit badges in Signaling, Tracking, Pathfinding, and Carpentry.
Today I: Helped a Scout with Citizenship in the Nation merit badge (as counselor). Helped a Scout with Camping merit badge (as counselor). Tweeted a link to a Cub Scout friendly booklet of the Academics and Sports requirements. Received both of the BSA dollars in the mail...as a gift from my uncle.
New Active Game for Cub Scouts
Since 2002, our troop has been gradually growing - from around 20 to 55 scouts. Throughout each year, some drop along the way, some age out, and then each spring we get an influx of new scouts. Pretty typical. This year, 30 Webelos chose to join the troop - about double the average for the past few…
If you're hoping to save some coin on the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Silver Dollar, your time is running out. Introductory pricing on the collectible ends at 5 p.m. (EDT) today. After that, the price of the proof coin (pictured) will increase from $39.95 to $43.95, and the price of the uncirculated coin will…
The Scouts of Troop 826 in 1967... ... and at their 2006 reunion. I recently spent some time interviewing author Richard Bennett about his book 'Everything I Need to Know I learned in Boy Scouts'. Our interview will be part of Scoutmaster podcast 14, I hope you can take the time to listen in.
OK so this week's Merit Badge isn't available to be earned by scouts yet but the official requirements have been released by BSA. It's the Geocaching Merit Badge. What is Geocaching you ask? Geocaching is an outdoor activity in which a GPS is used to locate caches which are hidden in areas near the coordinates…
Today I updated the troops website and cleaned up some of my camping gear. Posted via web from A Boy Scout's Blog's Posterous
The Troop Outside the Cabin So last month our troop held our March Campout. This trip is traditionally the first campout for our new scouts and we had a good number of them attend this trip. This month we decided to stick with our of staying in a cabin at Camp Kingsley.
Monday was a catch up day as I spend the past 5 days in Wood Badge mode... - stopped by Scout Shop to turn in Scout App - picked up Star Rank patch for newest Star Scout - experimented with new website server - updated official Troop Calendar Tuesday: the busiest Scout night of the week!
So this post marks a very special milestone for my blog. This is my 100th post. Pretty cool that I have had over 100 posts and I hope to have many many more in the future. So since I've hit 100 posts lets go back and take a look at my first post: Welcome As…
So after I posted my recap of our March Campout ( read it here ) I had a number of people ask me for the recipe to make Cleary's Cast-iron Cheescake. This recipe was a huge hit with my troop so I hope you will share it with yours.
Today I: Distributed 7 copies of the Parvuli Dei religious emblem book and 2 copies of Light of Christ . Escorted the Tiger Den and the Webelos Scout den to the fire station. Confirmed the Tiger Go See It at the newspaper on Monday.
Off on Friday for a 5+ hour drive to the western part of the state … to Hiwassee (near Radford and Christiansburg) for the 2010 SR7A Order of the Arrow Conclave. The weather is supposed to cooperate, so that would make for around 1000 happy Scouts and Scouters .
I have been a scoutmaster for quite awhile. Sometimes I think too long. Over the years I have taken thousands of pictures of Boy Scouts at hundreds of Scouting events. I am slowly getting them posted on my Flickr account.
Bill Macfarlane is blogging about an unusual quest; Years ago, when I was a Boy Scout, I would wait impatiently for the next issue of Boy's Life just so I could see the Whittlin' Jim "Slide of the Month" feature.
19 Vote On Idea I just received a 60-year Veteran Award for one of our dedicated volunteers. It would be so much more special for all volunteers, especially the long-tenured ones, to receive something more than just a letter and a paper card.
Since making a commitment to focus on our environmental impact in every aspect of our business, every shirt we make has been green . Join with us as we celebrate Earth Day at ClassB! We'll match your contributions to our tree planting project .
Today I: Helped a young Boy Scout work out his family logistics so that he can go camping with us in May. Good kid. Got to let a parent know how exemplary their son was on our Cub Scout field trip last night.
I was nineteen when I was introduced to a roll playing game called Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). A couple of my high school friends and I would get together on weekend when we were home from college and play a game at Chuck's house.
I have to thank jillzemp for sending the link to this Youtube video which pokes fun at Boy Scouts by doing a parody of the Kesha Tik Tok song. Please have a sense of humor to watch it. Everyone join me in doing the "Robin Hood".
We have another announcement, Adventure base 100 will be coming to Louisville, Kentucky and is going to be held in conjunction with the Kentucky Derby Festival. In particular the adventure base 100 campus will be located at the main/central box office of the festival which is located at 501 West Main St., Louisville, KY, 40289.
The Simon Kenton Council Buckeye District roundtable packet for May 2010 is available. The Buckeye District assembles a cool roundtable packet each month which they post on their website. This one has games, cooking ideas, crafts, songs, skits, ceremonies , and more for the May "In the Spotlight" theme. Link (pdf)
Today I: Managed to tweet about St. George's Feast Day (today). St. George is the patron saint of Scouting, and important to my Scout units. Prepared and alert a Scout follows the lead Of our Patron Saint George and his spirited steed."
Kudos to halfeagle.com one of the coolest list of Scouter blogs I have ever seen. Also a great blog called Scoutmaster with good information and podcasts that I am looking forward to listening to when I get home. (On vacation right now and have a slide I am going to make based on a large…
6 Vote On Idea Background: Most new DLs do not get well oriented and equipped before they start den meetings. BSA research say 27% of new Cubs who join in Sept-Oct, have already quit by next recharter (3-4 months later).
It shouldn't be too hard to find a Scoutmaster Minute in this story from Idaho. I lived on the Salmon River for a few years as a little kid and this kind of spirit of taking care of yourself and not expecting a handout is what every scout, pioneer, explorer, and adventurer needs to survive.
Hit the three-quarters mark today! That means that many of you have been reading along for over 2 months now---and I appreciate it. Scouting takes a lot of effort, and reading other people's ideas feeds the fire More days: Day 71 Day 72 Day 73 Day 74 Day 75 From field trips to thinking, Scouting…
5 Vote On Idea Sometimes this innovation engine page comes up with Google searches related to scouting topics. Given the fact that we talk about volunteers, benefits and such, perhaps we should make this page only accessible after logging in. As of now anyone on the internet can read everything on here. Comments (0) Technology
The following is a response to the outcome to the Portland, Oregon Abuse Trial issued by the BSA on April 23, 2010: The Boy Scouts of America continues to be deeply saddened by what happened to the plaintiff in this case more than 25 years ago.
Today I: Purchased three 21" bow saws so that each patrol will have one for their backpacking and camping use. Small, lightweight, and perfect for younger (and smaller) hands. They were on sale for $2.97 each. Yep, that was it for Scouting today.
Today hundreds of Scouts will parade through Windsor to meet up at Windsor Castle , will then inspected by Prince Charles and finally attend a service in St. George's Chapel where they will renew their Scout Promise led by the Chief Scout , Bear Grylls.
Recently, I volunteered to help with the Voyageur District's Derby event which included the pinewood derby cars, the rain gutter regatta boats, and the rocket racers and after the event was over; a young scout came up to me and asked i he could help with the breakdown of the regatta equipment that was used.
Today I: Caught up on reading Scouting blogs. Pulled together details for pack meeting awards--pack meeting is this week! Already! Played "mailman" at home--delivering multiple copies of Boy's Life and Scouting magazine! We get enough of them, that BSA bundles them all together in plastic!
Even though the previous stop of adventure base 100 still has a few more hours left before the process of clean and breakdown begins, I wanted to publish information for the next stop for 2 reasons. The first is a scout related reason which is the weekend that this stop will be occurring I will…
The video below is for the Atlanta, Georgia stop of the adventure base 100 tour. Yours in Scouting Service Mark W Assistant Webelos Den Leader Pack 69 Frontier District, Denver Area Council NSJ '05 Youth Participant '10 Subcamp 7 Youth Staff WSJ '07 '11 Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member Big Horn NYLT QM Philmont AA…
Trying out a new design for my blog, hopefully I will like it and keep the design how it is. Unfortunately I had to remove the insane scouter logo due to me not be very much into the coding thing, this is a disappointment but who knows maybe it will all work out for the…
(2010 World Cup Stadia: Clockwise from top left: Soccer City, Johannesburg; Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium; Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban; Cape Town Stadium) With the 2010 FIFA World Cup around the corner here in South Africa, I'll be posting links and projects to get into the spirit of things in the next few weeks.
Talk about well-rounded! Atlanta's Isiah Jenkins already is a standout athlete in track, baseball, football, and basketball. And even with all of that on his plate, he still makes time for rock climbing, hiking, and camping with the Boy Scouts of America.
If you're planning to visit the 2010 National Scout Jamboree this summer, listen up. The BSA has just released details for visitors that will help make their jamboree experience memorable and stress-free. Visiting the jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., has been a favorite experience of Scouts and Scouters since 1981.
google_ad_client = "pub-6247826974405769"; google_ad_channel = ""; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; google_ad_format = "336x280_as"; google_ad_type = "text"; google_color_border = "FFFFFF"; google_color_bg = "FFFFFF"; google_color_link = "0000FF"; google_color_text = "999999"; google_color_url = "191919"; i don't like boy scouts anymore. I want to earn eagle but i just lost interest in it. my parents keep forcing me into doing it though. Is there any way to get
In addition to track, baseball, football, and basketball, Isiah Jenkins makes time for rock climbing, hiking, and camping. This exceptional Scout, and honor roll student, from Troop 100 at Atlanta's BEST Academy also makes time to give back to his community.
Boy Scouts Of America is one of the foremost educators of camping for young boys ages 12 through 18. Even before a child is old enough to be a boy scout the organization has activities for younger boys that help them develop good camping techniques. The other organizations are known as Cub Scouts and then
Train,Trust, Let; Interview with author Richard Bennett; Eagle Scout Drama 3 Scoutmaster Podcast 14 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: Pulled down a few fresh images for Scouting posts! Updated files for pack's summer camp. Updated files for troop's summer camp. Updated file for troop's C&O Canal work day. Broadcasted a reminder that all summer camp fees are due this week!
This post is about how some scout leaders lose their compass or sense of scouting direction and hopefully this article will help re-focus what is suppose to be the ultimate goal in scouting: to make sure that the scouting program is both fun and safe.
Hello fellow Scouters, I was recently talking with a great Scout leader, and we were discussing something we all deal with: how to keep ourselves from taking too much on as an active Scout leader. As we discussed how important it is to balance getting things done in our unit without taking everything on ourselves…
