Browse by year
222 posts, oldest first.
I've recently heard a lot of buzz about a new search engine called blekko . I checked it out today and thought it was pretty cool. Since it's still in beta, it feels a lot simpler and more straightforward than Google searches can be these days.
On Saturday, we had the opportunity to participate in the West Central Florida and Gulf Ridge Councils Centennial Camporee. The Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers and Sea Scouts put on the largest scouting event ever in West Central Florida to celebrate the 100th year of scouting.
This year for our Remembrance Day ceremony, we did something we haven't done for quite a few years, we actually paraded from the Hall to the Church. This was something we did regularly in the past, until we stopped parading around 15 years ago.
Explorer Scouts in Wales have helped Forestry Commission officials cut down and remove a number of invasive silver birch trees that were threatening the habitat of a rare butterfly.
#80-The Letter We discuss Scoutmaster Steve's letter to his Scouts, in which he expresses his frustrations with the Troop and how he approached solving the problems he saw in 1985 and this year. Tonight's show sponsored by ClassB.com Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts Share with Others:
I like this badge because it makes them think about the many aspects of being a member of a family, from pitching in on chores to considering outside influences on our families.
Hello Dear Reader I am sorry there have been no posts so far this week, life has been a bit chaotic and continues to be. If you follow me on twitter you will know that I am travelling overseas with work at the end of the week and as such pretty much everything I had…
In Backpacking meals are an important of your trail experience. There are as many ways to go about planning and preparing meals as there are trails. As promised in the podcast here are some of the resources mentioned and gear that we use as well as meal ideas and items that I typically eat on…
In Backpacking meals are an important of your trail experience. There are as many ways to go about planning and preparing meals as there are trails. As promised in the podcast here are some of the resources mentioned and gear that we use as well as meal ideas and items that I typically eat on…
Las Vegas, the city of lights, loud music, and lots of people, is one area of the country you would not expect Leave No Trace to be. Yet this week, over 1000 outdoor enthusiasts from around the country are swarming "Sin City" for the National Association of Interpretation Conference .
The three aims of Scouting are Character Development, Citizenship Training, and Mental and Physical Fitness. Today we look at how character development is incorporated into the Scouting programs offered by BSA.
An adventure is merely a bit of bad planning, brought to light by the test of a trial . Roald Amundsen polar explorer Camping when the weather is clear and sunny = great camping. Camping when the weather is 'interesting' = adventure. Associated posts at Scoutmaster Blog: Ten Tips for Camping in the Rain
First of all thank everyone for listening to the show. Next. Yes, the show is back up on iTunes, however I had to repost it as a new show. Worry not faithful, many of the old shows are back up, but the ratings and reviews are gone.
Tis the season, Football season, Basketball season, wrestling season, baseball.... you get the point... Our Scouts are busier than ever it seems these days and involved in many activities. We need to help parents and Scouts strike a good and fair balance between Scouts and Sports, Scouts and Homework, Scouts and other things that seem…
The Virginia Beach Friends School is a school filled with 160 students from 3 years old to seniors in high school. The school integrates the Quaker values of equality, integrity, simplicity, peace, and environmental stewardship, so the Leave No Trace program fit right into the school's educational philosophy.
On Friday, we said that if you can name the bridge in the mystery shoulder patch, it would be easy to Name That Council. Twenty-seven of you must have recognized the Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge, which spans the Milwaukee River.
When there's a Guinness World Record on the line, playing a game becomes serious fun. That was surely the thought going through the minds of the 876 Scouts who broke the record for "Most People Playing in a Marble Tournament" in late September at the California Inland Empire Council's 100th Anniversary celebration.
How many matches does it take a Boy Scout to light a fire? I've seen it done with 58 matches - seriously! But, it really should just take one match. Preparing the fire lay is important, but so is lighting the match.
Howdy Scouts! This week I found a tremendous amount of stories out there about Scouts who were lending a helping hand and giving back to their communities. So this edition of "Scouting Week In Review" is going to feature a few stories of how Scouts across the country are doing things to help – some customary…
It was one of those perfect days. The sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky. We were driving from Spokane, Washington to Seattle, and we decided to pull over at a rest area to have lunch.
Dear Education Department, I am curious as to the history of the Leave No Trace program. I've heard the phrase Leave No Trace all my life and later learned that it is a formal program and nonprofit organization through a workshop I attended.
Since 2005, KEEN Footwear has played an integral role in the Center's work to build a constellation of American communities dedicated teaching and spreading Leave No Trace. It all began with a KEEN-funded partnership that flooded Leave No Trace's State Advocate program (the organization's regional grassroots activists) with support, training, scholarships and educational tools.
Partnerships with organizations across the globe help build toward a critical mass of educated users who make Leave No Trace principles standard practice. Community partner, The American Alpine Institute (AAI), offering programs in 6 states and 16 countries, is dedicated to helping beginner and experienced climbers broaden their skills, while helping them to become safe…
Winter Online Auction: December 1-8 Please join us for the December Online Silent Auction to benefit Leave No Trace 2011 initiatives to drive programs for Youth, Your Local Community and Frontcountry. Check out the diverse selection of product donated from Leave No Trace corporate partners.
(Why did this get posted on Monday with a timestamp of last Friday?) Okay, so I did the math and this past Friday (when I intended to make this post) was exactly 100 days to the day before our Blue & Gold Banquet, when young Jon Walker will cross over to Boy Scouts and the vast…
A couple weeks ago I went onto eBay and had a bidding binge on various sets of 2001 National Jamboree council shoulder patches. It had been awhile since I worked on my collection and I thought it was time to add a few more patches to the collection.
Just the other night I had a brief conversation with a scout leader that is participating in a parade with his cub scouts...great publicity for the unit, I thought. But the conversation quickly soured in my mouth when I found out that the leader told me how great it would be seeing his scouts hanging…
I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. ~John Muir
The most typical foil pack ingredients are ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions. But don't get stuck in a rut! Try some new combinations.
It's Friday, so it's time for a little fun. This week's Name That Council has two major clues: The flat, wide-open terrain. The fella with the hat. We realize this isn't exactly the easiest Name That Council. That's why we're giving you until after the Thanksgiving break to figure it out.
Look at the right sleeve of any Cub Scout, Boy Scout, or Venturer, and you'll see just how important the American Flag is to the Boy Scouts of America. So crucial, in fact, that the flag patch comes already embroidered on every uniform.
The hobby of trading has been a part of Boy Scout tradition for many years. Before patches became the most popular trade item, Scouts attending Jamborees would trade neckerchief slides or even common items representing where their troop was from, like seashells and pine cones.
I expect you've heard the talk of mandatory training for scout leaders coming along. I suppose that's probably really the only way to make it happen - make it required. I'm happy that all but 1 of the Assistant Scoutmasters in our troop have their Trained patch.
So for today, I’m going to go way back to Friday and Saturday, September 29 & 30, 2006. That was the date of (I believe) the first Hopewell District Cub-o-Ree. It also was the very first Cub Scout event that Jon and I attended, having signed up maybe a week before that.
This is a very easy achievement to cover in a den meeting. You can even do an extra requirement or two.
For over a decade the U.S. Scouting Service Project has featured a monthly cartoon by Richard Diesslin. Have you ever wanted to suggest what should be in a cartoon? Well if you have, stop over at http://knotscartoons.blogspot.com/ where you can suggest the wording and caption for a cartoon in the KNOTS Caption Contest.
Here is a silly song for the Cub Scouts to sing on Thanksgiving. Use this for any of the Cub Scout music requirements
So Sunday was 98 days until Jon crosses over to Boy Scouts. On this actual day, we spent most of the day preparing for the Eagle Court of Honor of a young man from Troop 18 who is also a member of my church.
Sometimes newspapers really do publish things which are just complete and utter rubbish. Just read this Telegraph article , which claims that Scouts are abandoning traditional scouting activities such as camping in favour of video games. As if! The "data" the journalist is basing this on?
I recently came across this app for Android phones. It's a very simple (and free) one which shows the UK Scout Laws and Promises for the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Useful, for example, for when a passing Group Scout Leader is randomly asked what the Cub Scout Law is!
The Green Bay Holiday Christmas Parade has been put into the history books as work begins on next year's parade. Yes, I am being politically incorrect here as it is a Christmas Parade in my opinion and will always be considered a Christmas Parade.
As I mentioned here , I enjoyed doing this KISMIF.org when I was could from early 2008 until mid-2010. I particularly liked getting to share ideas that worked well in the Cub Scout pack where I served as Cubmaster. Due to my time commitments, I am not able to continue to do update the site.
#245-Shame On The Moon Our November Pack Meeting, first Troop campout, our Webelos 2 follow up plans for awards, acronym soup, awards at non-Pack Meeting events, and what I'm thankful for are all on tap this week. Tonight's show sponsored by ClassB.com Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts Share with Others:
This weekend my son and I visited the 2nd to last stop of Adventure Base 100. It's been 11 1/2 months since AB100 rolled out and I'd been hoping we'd get to see it ever since. The highlight for my …
The Go See It for Tiger Achievement 2 (Where I Live) is always a lot of fun. I haven't met a first grade boy yet who doesn't want to see a fire truck or police car up close.
Hello Readers of Jabbering all Day Long I've been asked to impart some advice for Members of the Movement on what the editors of Scouting are looking for when it comes to articles we publish in the magazine. I hope some of the tips I give here are useful and encourage people to offer ideas…
Here is a short video of the campfire we had at our last Cub Camp ( see here ). This one isn't the longest one I've ever done, nor does it contain much singing as the camera's batteries ran out and I was busy taking photos! Still you get the idea – it was a very dark night!
Taking a lunch break off the trail, on a durable surface (being careful about water impacts) in the High Peaks Wilderness, Adirondack Park, NY. Photo Credit - Ben Lawhon Thanks to all of you who posted comments on our recent Facebook question: True or False: The best place to take a rest is in the middle…
What does 'fun' mean? Email questions. Scoutmaster Podcast 44 Feel free to send your questions and comments (you can rate the podcast on iTunes). Use the email link above left or the comments feature of the blog. Subscribe on iTunes Music in Podcast 44 First Call - U.S.
Take 200 excited, even if nervous, recipients of the Chief Scout Gold Award, a sports hall filled with more than 400 very proud family, friends and leaders and not even the cold and wet weather of Cheshire could dampen the atmosphere on Sunday afternoon…
Welcome back to the SMMPodcast. In this show we answer an email from a listerner wanting to know about how we use our Assistant Scoutmasters. We also dive into a little Troop Discipline talk. Let me know what you think.
Show #67- In this show we answer a listener email about Assistant Scoutmasters and we open up the subject of Troop discipline. Let me know what you think.. leave some feedback. Listen to the Show here . A few Show notes: First, I am planning on going weekly with the show.
As Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers, we live by the motto work hard, play hard. This week we put that idea to the test. After spending multiple working at the NAI National Conference in Las Vegas, we escaped the bright lights and big city as we traveled west to Death Valley National Park.
So I've been having this discussion for months on several different channels (chat, facebook, skype, twitter) and that is Troop size. Some Troops are small (10), others medium (40) and then there is mine, at 123. We can carry on this debate elsewhere, but today I want to illustrate one of the benefits of a…
Not really! But if you read this article in the Sunday Telegraph , you might get that idea. Now, I was going to write a comprehensive and witty repost, but then I noticed that Chris Hawes had already written about it on his Be Prepared blog .
We are particularly encouraging all of the new youth leaders to attend, but the seminar will be open to the whole troop. Hopefully some of the members will be inspired to apply for one of the open positions.
At the National Ploughing Championships in Ireland this year, Leave No Trace volunteers met their Prime Minister and the Minister for Social Protection. Learn more about what Leave No Trace Ireland is working on as well as the latest updates on the Leave No Trace programs that you care about.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 – 1832) is an important writer in the German language and Western culture. His works span the fields of poetry, drama, literature, theology, philosophy, and science and continue to be an inspiration. His wide-ranging thinking lends itself well to defining the twelve points of the Scout Law: Trustworthy Trust yourself, then…
Last Thursday, we had the pleasure to meet up with Virginia State Advocate, Laurie Harmon , as the state advocate Laurie coordinates all things Leave No Trace in Virginia. Laurie teaches at George Mason University and she set up an awareness workshop with two clubs on campus, the Environmental Action Group and RockOn!
Last weekend, the Gulf Ridge and West Central Florida Councils held their Centennial Camporee at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. This was the largest-ever gathering of Scouts in the West Central Florida area. Thousands of Scouts, from Tigers to Venturers, crossed paths at the Fairgrounds for an exciting, action packed weekend of Scouting, Camping…
If you're planning a Cub Scout or Boy Scout Troop Activity soon, what better way to show your Scouts how proud you are than to present them with our top-quality, durable and unique activity patches? They make a great and inexpensive way to reward them for all the hard work they've done.
Hey folks, we are always looking at making PTCMedia better for the listeners of our quality Scouting Podcasts. We are asking for your input of some of the areas of the PTCMedia web site. Please take this short survey and let us know what you think.
Times are tough, lousy politicians, work is not going well, the weather stinks, etc. I have heard them all and mostly while at work. Thanksgiving is right aroud the corner and I thought that this would be a great time for me to tell you what I am thankful for: God.
New Skit for Boy Scouts
...
Holidays are a great time for kids to learn some family history. Cub Scouts who really delve into their history can earn the Heritages Belt Loop and Pin from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program.
It's that time of year again, when snow is forecast, the rain never seems to stop and the carpet becomes caked in dirt from the kids shoes when they've been out playing. Yes, you guessed it, time to start planning/organising summer camp. I have organised 5 summer camps and 100+ weekend camps, I always make ...
The Bigfoot Challenge?! What's that? Bigfoot's back and wants you to take his challenge. From teaching a kid the importance of not feeding wildlife to picking up trash on the trail, Bigfoot is asking you to complete and report a single Leave No Trace challenge from his list that changes every month.
Everyone has their gizmos, gimmics, gadgets, and gear that they wouldn't leave home without. When it comes to Scouting, here's a few things that I'm thankful exist and why: Gore-tex - for helping us enjoy camping in the rain Victorinox - for making a high quality knife Ferrocerium - for making it possible to have sparks any time…
Scouters and Scouts have been celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America all year. All across the country, we've heard from volunteer leaders who have attended celebrations large and small. The one common thread: They all involve Scouts doing what they do best-getting outside to have some fun!
Hey Scouts! We wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a very safe and happy Thanksgiving. As you gather with your family and feast on that delicious turkey and stuffing, you should also remember what Thanksgiving Day is all about.
A handful of Scouters are blogging and podcasting regularly. Many others have tried and discovered that it requires more work than they first thought. (Hands up everyone who ever started a blog). The vast majority of us are readers and listeners rather than publishers.
On the previous posts campout I had one Scout who did not want to go. His buddy/tentmate was sick and couldn't go and he did not really 'know' the other Scouts coming on the Hiking portion of the campout. I took him aside and told him that I did not want anyone to force him…
Hey folks , I want to share a few things with you about the Podcast and the blog. Clarke Green from the Blog and Podcast "Scoutmaster" recently posted to his blog about feedback and what it takes to maintain the blogs and podcasts.
Leadership has been define and redefined over the ages but the basic tenants remain the same and the practical exercise of those that lead can be studied and learned just as they have since the days of Alexander. Learning how to lead has also been an age long process that has morphed through the ages…
Aberdeen Scouts are celebrating after securing over £49,000 of funding to help refurbish a campfire circle.
Post Updated with links to the requirements on National's websites (most up to date version), Ship Requirements, and recordings of the Webinars. Scouting's Journey to Excellence is the new performance recognition program for Councils, Districts, and Units. This program replaces the Centennial Quality Recognition program.
Well it's about time I turned the lights back on here and got back to blogging isn't it? The last two months of October and November have been packed full as many of my weekends have been taken up with both scouting and non-scouting activities and during the week I worked to photograph as many…
This grace is also known as the Wilderness Grace or the Worth Ranch Grace. It is attributed to Jerry Fulkerson from the Worth Ranch Scout Camp in Texas.
When we found the spear point and the potsherd under a sheltering wall of rock the dig began. Down below the soil of a millennium we found the fire-blackened circle of stones, the charcoal and fragments of bones. Someone sat here centuries ago warming themselves against the cold.
Late August 2010 Time to carve: 1.5 hours Finishing: .5 hours An interesting slide because it raises an eyebrow when people see it but also scratching their heads when they see what it can do. Carved from maple and the dot attached with fishing line.
Sept. - Oct. 2010 Time to carve: 12 hours Finishing: .5 hours Sometimes there is a slide that just "kicks your butt" while your trying to make it. Well this is one of those slides. I roughed out the cylinder back in September then spent the next month trying to figure out how to carve this…
Mid October 2010 Time to carve: 0 hours Finishing: 2 hours When I look at the Georgina pattern last spring I thought, hey I seen that kind of brass compass this should be easy to make. The funny part is I looked and looked for one of those and could not find one no matter…
Late October 2010 Time to carve: 0 Hours Finishing: 2 Hours The ring is made from a 2 1/4 PVC cap, I had hanging around my workshop, I cut the end off and sanded the edges. The top is made from some thin white leather cut in an X pattern with the center big enough…
From my Family to yours we wish everyone a Blessed and Wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope that you all can spend it with family and friends and all that are close to you. Keep those that protect us in your blessings today as you sit at the table.
Early Nov. 2010 Time to carve:2 hours Finishing: 1 hour Multiply pieces to carve with this slide. The first is the piece of cheese which not only has two neckerchief holes on top merging into one hole one the bottom, but also a hole within a hole in which the head of the mouse is…
Mid Nov. 2010 Time to carve: 0 hours Other work: 1.5 hours Finishing: .5 Some times I look at a slide and I not so sure I am going to like it when it is done. This is one of thus slides but I was so wrong because this is really a great slide!
Early Nov. 2010 Time to carve: 0 hours Metal work: 1.5 hours Finishing: .5 I was in one of my favorite hardware stores one day and noticed they carried small sheets of heavier gauged copper than what I had at home.
Mid Nov. 2010 Time to carve: 1 hour Finishing: .5 hours The second Order of the Arrow slide I've done and it is my understanding that members of the Los Angeles OA made these back when Whittlin Jim published this slide.
Download the track now to help Explorer Scout Imogen win the Barnardo's Young Songwriter of the Year
Today I would like to wish a happy and healthy thanksgiving to all of my followers! To celebrate I have decided to design a new merit badge, the Turkey Carving merit badge. The requirements for this new badge would be: Discuss with your counselor injuries that could occur while carving a turkey, including but not…
New Format, New Topics, New Release Day Some of my "must-read" blogs Scoutmaster of Troop 199, Bryan Spellman – http://thescoutmaster.posterous.com/ Scoutmaster of Troop 83, Doug Metz – http://scoutersjourney.wordpress.com/ This show was brought to you by all of our fine sponsors, ClassB.com , Boy Scout Store and Badge Magic Share with Others:
A Scout is Reverent. This prayer incorporates the twelve points of the Scout Law.
New Skit for Boy Scouts
The 22nd South Shields (Brownsea) Scout Group were last week presented with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, a major national award that is the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary groups.
The core value for Cub Scouts for the month of December is respect. At your December pack meeting, do something which helps Cub Scouts practice respect for others.
Earlier this year I was posting the requirements for the old BSA Skill Awards. I recently remembered that I have only posted about ten of the twelve awards. So, I thought I better get the last two posted so that all twelve are listed.
Okay, I admit that I am a bit of a geek. I admit I like the Doctor Who television series. And of course I admit that I like Scouting. So I had to smile when I was directed to this site about Doctor Who keychains and discovered Boy Scouts mentioned in the description of the…
The idea behind the skit is that the Scouter with the banana has misunderstood the announcer. Every time the announcer says to do something with the bandana, the Scouter does it with a banana instead.
The Swimming Skill Award of the 1970′s and 1980′s is another one of the awards in which the requirements were taken and used in the current ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. This skill award was not a mandatory award needed to earn the First Class rank back then.
