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So 2010 is gone! It didn't turn out quite like I had expected for Scouting News. Personal commitments including returing from Iraq, working at a new Boy Scout Camp, moving two hours away from my "home base", and starting a "real job" kept me pretty distracted this past year.
So starts the new year. What do you have in store for 2011? Camping? Hiking? Working on Eagle? Some personal items of note in 2011: - weight loss...serious, long term commitment - career choice...my dream is to teach, I start taking the next steps towards that dream - life change...my son will graduate High School and attend Indiana…
2011 will mark the 100th Anniversary of Boys Life Magazine. I still remember as a kid being able to browse back issues at my local library. They didn't have ALL the issues from what I remember, maybe a few years …
Recent tornadoes in our neighborhood remind us more than ever that we must be prepared for unexpected changes in the weather.
Early Dec. 2010 Time to carve: 2 hours Finishing: 1.5 "If you can't whittle this one, your just not a whittler..." wrote Whittlin Jim. Well, sure it was easy to carve but on the other hand ... Carved from maple with the teeth carved separately and glued on later.
Mid Dec. 2010 Time to carve: ,5 hours Finishing: 1.5 My band saw blade broke and while I was waiting for a replacement to come in, I found this slide in my pile. OK, I don't need anything fancy for this one, just a dowel, my knee (to break the dowel with), thin plywood,and a…
Mid Dec. 2010 Time to carve: 2.5 hours Finishing: 2 With new band saw blade in place, I roughed this slide out and set forth carving. When finished and sanded, I hated to even think about painting this slide. I was so good looking in it's natural state.
End Dec. 2010 Time to carve: 2.5 hours Finishing: 1.5 A day off,a piece of really hard maple and a lot of fun to carve. I've been looking forward to carving this slide for a while because one of my favorite memories as a boy was the pond across the street from my house.
An interim Edition of Baloo's Bugle for January RT, February's B&G/Pack Mtg, (Resourcefulness) and Den Meetings 11 & 12 is on line. I still need to do some updates (e.g. all of Wendy's ideas for Tiger, Wolf, and Bear Den Meetings).
Do you like taking photos of your Scouts? Are you a listener of the podcasts found at PTC Media? If so, this is a contest that you should enter! Beginning January 3rd and continuing through March 22nd, PTCMedia with TrailStop.com and ClassB.com are running a photo contest.
Our Pinewood Derby is next weekend and my den are putting the finishing touches on their cars (hopefully). I've told them they can count their cars as a Craftsman project if they did a significant amount of work on the cars themselves.
Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread. A civilization which destroys what little remains of the wild, the spare, the original, is cutting itself off from its origins and betraying the principle of civilization itself." - Edward Abbey (Desert Solitaire)
I don't normally make New Year's Resolutions. Usually because I end up forgetting about them by the end of January. But this year, I'm going to make some resolutions regarding my Scouting. Get my Wood Badge validated Earn my Nights Away Permit Teach new Scouts about their Promise and Law before they get invested Learn…
Have you ever purchased spoof merit badges ? I've looked at them and laughed at them online but was concerned the quality would be poor and they'd just be a waste of money. But, this past month the Boy Scout Store provided me with a selection of patches and they are great.
We're excited to announce the winner of our December 2010 photo contest. You can see all the photo submissions by clicking here and here . We loved all the entries, but after going through all of the photos, we narrowed it down to 3 finalists: We wanted to give recognition to all 3 photos because they…
After a restful and rejuvinating holiday for the Traveling Trainers, Team East-Jason and Agata Ketterick and Team West- Kate Bullock and Tracy Howard, are excited and eager for the upcoming 2011 season! Both teams are making their way back to Boulder to prepare to hit the road again.
Interview with Kevin Callan, the Happy Camper! Scoutmaster Podcast 50 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. Links on Podcast 50 The Happy Camper website Kevin's canoe adventure videos on youTube The Happy Camper…
The process of moving from a Cub Scout to a Boy Scout can be a little daunting for both the Cub Scout and the leader. Join us as John Powell, the associate director of the Center for Professional Development in Westlake, Texas, explains how to make this transition a special event for everyone involved.
You already know that Cubcast is a great resource to get ideas and inspiration for your den and pack meetings, and here to help us discover ways to teach our Cub Scouts how to tap into all the resources around us is Darlene Sprague.
Here is a Scoutmaster Minute which reminds us not to focus on the big insurmountable problem. Instead, just do what you can.
This looks like fun! I don't know why you'd have to sand the outside though.
One goal of the program of the Boy Scouts of America is to provide leadership training to the youth of a troop. This occurs through troop meetings, patrol leader council meetings, weekend sessions, conferences, and the National Youth Leadership course.
In this show we talk about training Patrol Leaders to work in the Patrol Method and training Scouts to camp in the Cold. Lessons that I have learned for the coming year, and a meassage about "HONOR"! Thanks for Listening, I appreciate it. Join the forum discussion on this post Share with Others:
If you have a pet, have your Cub Scout check out the Pet Care Belt Loop from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program. He will have to take care of the pet for two weeks (a positive from any parent's point of view) and learn about his pet.
Hello Dear Reader May I first wish you a very Happy New Year. I thought I would give you a round-up of the 2010 as best as I could however after many attempts at trying to be funny and finding a new and witty way to tell you what I did last year, I failed…
Any great organization constantly tweaks and adapts its requirements to better reach its members, and the Boy Scouts of America is no exception. To that end, the BSA announced this week which requirements will change in 2011. One big item is actually more of a clarification than a complete change.
Friday's Name That Council took you on a cruise down historic Route 66, but how many of you knew which council featured the highway on its shoulder strip? Fifty-one of you, to be exact. We took all those guesses and picked one winner at random.
Turn your eyes to the skies and check out the latest requirements for Astronomy merit badge , updated on Jan. 1, 2011. Do the following: (a) Describe the proper clothing and other precautions for safely making observations at night and in cold weather.
Saddle up and get ready for the latest requirements for Horsemanship merit badge , updated on Jan. 1, 2011. Follow the jump for the complete requirements... Do the following: (a) Describe the safety precautions you should take when handling and caring for a horse.
Put on your hazmat suit and check out the latest requirements for Nuclear Science merit badge , updated on Jan. 1, 2011. Follow the jump for the complete requirements... Do the following: (a) Tell what radiation is. (b) Describe the hazards of radiation to humans, the environment, and wildlife.
Archery merit badge has set its sights on two minor revisions to its requirements, effective Jan. 1, 2011. They affect requirement 5. Change option A (recurve bow or longbow), subpoint F, sub-subpoint 2 to the following: Shooting 30 arrows in five-arrow ends at an 80-centimeter (32-inch) five-color target at 15 yards and using the 10…
If you're keeping score at home, you'll want to know about a minor revision to the requirements for Sports merit badge , effective Jan. 1, 2011. The change affects requirement 2 and shows the BSA's continuing commitment to childhood health. The new requirement is the following: Explain the importance of the following: (a) The importance of…
It has been a long time since I have been involved with a Pinewood Derby . I was never a Cub Scout so I did not participate in one as a youth. I do remember acting as a judge for one in the 1990′s for the local pack.
Would you like the professional Leave No Trace educators to come and be a part of your event or outdoor training? The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers provide hands-on educational workshops and trainings across the country 11 months out of the year.
A party of Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members have spent their festive season helping to maintain a children's home in Kathmandu
For Americans there is no greater recognition of service, courage and leadership than our nation's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. This year, in celebration of a century of turning "today's readers into tomorrow's leaders," Boys' Life will work with the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and the exclusive Society of America's living…
Association with adults is one of the methods used in both Boy Scouts and Venturing. While these programs are youth-led, there are still adults present to mentor and help the youth leaders.
In 1989, five women who were involved with the Scouting program in Melrose, met at the local community access television studio to do a talk show about Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting in Melrose. The show was titled The Women Of Scouting.
The 2011 Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer season will kick off today at the International Sportsman's Expo in Denver, CO. The Expo will run for the next 4 days. In partnership with Stay the Trail Colorado , The Traveling Trainers will be sharing a booth space offering a variety of activities for kids to learn how…
To earn the Boy Scout ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle, a boy has to serve in a position of responsibility for six months (four months for Star rank). But not every position of responsibility applies. Assistant patrol leader, for example, is not considered a position of responsibility in this sense.
Ok... so a Scout needs a Position of Responsibility (POR) to complete the requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle, he was not elected to a position so he comes to Mr. Scoutmaster seeking, lets say... Troop Historian. He figures, well I get to wear the patch and in 4 to 6 months I can call…
The Boy Scouts of America this week unveiled its brand identity pieces for 2011: "Prepared. For Life." The trademarked words incorporate the Boy Scout motto, "Be Prepared," to show non-Scouts what Scouting is all about. The three simple words convey a clear message: By joining Scouting, boys and girls will be prepared for life and…
Wayne's latest blog comes from Curitiba, Brazil, where he is preparing for the 39th World Scout Conference.
Hello Dear Reader I just wanted to let you all know that I am going to be taking the site down this weekend with the aim of completing a major facelift. Hopefully (he says crossing everything) the site will be down for a short period and will then give you the reader a cleaner looking…
This is a gadget which was shown to us at a recent Roundtable. It uses lashings to make a handwashing station from straight sticks and an empty gallon milk jug.
Last part of my Skype call-in, podiversary show…thanks to all my friends who came on and talked some really great scouting This show was brought to you by The Boy Scout Store Join the forum discussion on this post Share with Others:
Hmm, let's see. Which state do I think of when I see oranges and space travel? There's only one answer that works, and there's only one council that wears the patch seen above. Figuring out the state should be easy.
Hello Dear Reader The other day I had a conversation where the phrase "that might be too hard for them to complete" was used. It was with reference to an explorer event we are running this year. The event is a night exercise where explorers must complete 15km hike and arrive at a location for…
Ben Lawhon, Education Director for Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics, joined the American Rivers blog in September to share tips for minimizing impacts on the river . It was an important reminder, and one to which many of our members responded positively.
Have you checked out the PTC Media podcast site yet? ( http://www.ptcmedia.net ) The PTC Media network is a collection of eight Scouting related podcasts, seven audio and one video. They are produced by several Scout leaders from across the United States.
At the last Troop Meeting of the year I issued a challenge in my Scoutmaster Minute, 2010 was a Year of Celebration or the BSA, let's make 2011 a Year of Service for Troop 199. At the PLC meeting last Tuesday, the PLC did just that and voted to make 2011 a Year of Service.
Ronald S. Green today was named the Scout Executive/Chief Executive Officer of the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. He is the tenth person to serve in the position during the 100-year existence of the organization. The council serves approximately 57,000 young people each year in 37 counties in eastern Missouri and…
We should all be trying to keep a scout active, engaged, and growing in character, citizenship, and fitness until he's an adult - that should be the mission of every troop. So, troops basically have identical goals. The way adult volunteers strive to reach the goals, and keep the goals clearly in sight, are what differ.
Wolf Achievement 4 - Know Your Home and Community - helps Cub Scouts learn how to take care of themselves and be safe. This den meeting plan covers requirements a, b, c, d, and e.
Coming soon...100 Days of Scouting for 2011. Beginning on the anniversary of Scouting is a great time to dedicate ourselves to 100 days of focus on the things we hold near and dear--Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing. Think about it...get yourself psyched...make a plan.
New Loud Game for All scouts, Cub Scouts
The finished edition of Baloo's Bugle editions for Resourcefulness and Meetings 11 and 12 are posted on-line. Sorry for the delay. Commissioner Dave Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
The idea is to make a den time capsule which they add to from time to time – maybe every year at Blue and Gold time and after summer camp or when they earn their rank or do something special. Then, when they cross over to Boy Scouts, they open the time capsule and see all…
I bet you have seen the movie. Many Scouts and Scouting volunteers have. But were you paying close attention? I recently watched the movie again (it is one of my favorites) and I took a few notes while it played.
Wayne kicks off the commentary of the World Scout Conference with an overview of who is represnting you, sets the scene and hands over to the youth members......
Over 3,000 people braved the weather to attend another successful Wintercamp event at Gilwell Park this weekend
Wayne kicks off the commentary of the World Scout Conference with an overview of who is representing you, sets the scene and hands over to the youth members...
The core value for January for Cub Scouts is positive attitude. This Cubmaster minute uses a story about Gandhi to demonstrate what positive attitude means. You could even have a few den chiefs act this out while you tell the story.
How did you do with the trivia quiz, part one? Are you ready for my Follow Me Boys trivia quiz, part 2? You must be, or why are you here? Get your pencil and paper ready. (I recommend a pencil in case you need to erase an answer.
Today we cover the Quality Unit replacement program, flag retirement, a winter sports update, 2011 resolutions, how to get boys over the fear of becoming Boy Scouts, and how to fund Roundtables. Links: MISS Show #18- http://bit.ly/e5FDMx SC Scouts Wiki Page- http://bit.ly/hKSl52 Winter Sports Safety update- http://bit.ly/guVdg6 How should Boy Scouts retire the American flag?
The Boy Scouts of America and the spirit of America go hand in hand. So it makes sense that Boys' Life , the official youth magazine of the BSA, teamed up with the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to nominate a Boy Scout for the prestigious American Spirit Award.
Listen for both "Leave No Trace" and "Pack it in, pack it out" at 3:03...
Six years ago, the troop had a single dutch oven that was rarely used. Last month, we had five patrols making dutch oven meals in a snow storm. :-) This troop distributes gear to each patrol to manage by themselves. Each patrol that wants one has been issued a dutch oven from the quartermaster.
Eagle ambush, patrol ages Scoutmaster Podcast 51 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 Scoutmaster Podcast Music Amazon.com Widgets
Back in September I wrote about the health and safety culture that is creeping into Scouting (well all aspects of everyday life really) and how it is being taken to the extremes. The main problem being the 'where there's blame there's a claim' type culture.
Fi and Craig report on the opening day of the World Scout Conference
We didn't expect a tremendous turnout for January tent camping, but only 3 youth (2 of them my sons) and my husband signed up. So it had to be cancelled.
#82-Top 5 of 2010 Tonight, we discuss our top 5 things of 2010. Tonight's show sponsored by The Boy Scout Store Join the forum discussion on this post Share with Others:
Yesterday, we told you about the American Spirit Award , an honor given to "one or more individuals who demonstrate extraordinary skill, professionalism, and a spirit of excellence in a challenging situation." And starting today and continuing through Friday, we'll introduce you to the four young men who are finalists for this award.
Pioneering Made Easy has a great collection of pioneering knowledge with down-loadable plans; worth a look!
Disclaimer: When you have an organization that is over 100 years old and has had 85 million+ people associated with it, there is going to be some discrepancy over who was first. New York's Hudson Valley however had the first Boy Scout Troop in the U.S…as far as I've been able to research.
Everyone seems to do Top 10 lists at the end of a year, or something to review the past year, so Cubmaster Chris and I decided to a list of top Scouting events for the year of 2010. Each of us chose 5 things to talk about during the latest episode of The Leaders Campfire…
Mike Malone asks; ... we've been informed that, for safety reasons, Scouts are now not allowed to be on any handmade structure more than 3-4 feet off the ground. Is that the current rule? I checked the Guide to Safe Scouting and found two statements that may be applicable: An approved climbing helmet must be worn…
Nigel Hailey wrestles the blog from the youth delegates to tell us what he's been up to at the Conference....
Part of being a Scoutmaster is being a friend to the Scouts and assisting in their everyday lives.. as our Scouts get older they come to you with girl trouble, problems at home, and tips for getting their driving permits...
This week on the SMMPodcast we talk a bit more about staying warm on winter camp outs and how we are ‘Wagging the Dog' when it comes to Scouting! Enjoy the Show! This show is sponsored by Badge Magic ! Leave us Feedback or drop us a note @ [email protected] Have a Great Scouting Day!
Once in a while you just gotta sit back and enjoy a good cartoon. Here is one from 1938 called Good Scouts, from Walt Disney. It features Donald Duck as the scoutmaster of his nephews' troop. They go for a hike but things do not go as planned for Donald.
I think the biggest barrier to our scouts earning this badge is the cost. But for those who have the means, this is a really fun badge
On Monday, you read all about the American Spirit Award , an honor given to "one or more individuals who demonstrate extraordinary skill, professionalism, and a spirit of excellence in a challenging situation." All this week, we're introducing you to the four young men who are finalists for this award.
There are two parts of a Philmont trek-the destination and the journey-and both are important. Reaching the destination means that you and your Scouts accomplished an impressive goal that you'll all remember for a lifetime. And the journey? That's all about you and your crew enjoying 137,000 acres worth of flora and fauna and experiencing…
Hey All, Since all of our Master Educator Course Providers are currently in town for our annual meeting, I figured I'd let you know when and where M.E. Courses are available. The tentative 2011 course schedule can be viewed here .
Roger Edison has collected a lot of lore and useful information about Chuckwagons and Cowboy Cooking. Here's a plan for building a cowboy fire box . Admittedly not for leave no trace camping or backpacking the fire box is intended for serious grub!
New Dutch Oven Recipe for Boy Scouts
When you think of Florida, you think of amusement parks, space shuttles, and Florida orange juice ( but not snow ). So when you saw a patch with two of those three things on it, you probably knew the state right away.
On a rainy day in Brazil, the UK and Scouting Ireland were honoured with a 'Gifts for Peace' award, and delegates voted for members of the next World Scout Committee
John May's appointment was announced at the World Scout Conference in Brazil
This is a crossword puzzle I made for a gathering activity for a den meeting. It's purpose is just to familiarize the Cub Scout with the 12 core values
By now, you should know all about the American Spirit Award , an honor given to "one or more individuals who demonstrate extraordinary skill, professionalism, and a spirit of excellence in a challenging situation." We're halfway through introducing you to the four young men that Boys' Life editors selected as finalists for this award.
This is fantastic news, or as Buttons the radical Boy Scout would say, "Totally awesome!" The World Jamboree will be coming to the United States this decade. According to the Boy Scouts of America Facebook page: Great news! The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve has been chosen as the site for World Scout Jamboree…
Photo (cc) via Flickr, Peter E. Lee It's Pinewood Derby season and we want to share some tips that will help you and your Scouts have a great time at your pack's Pinewood Derby. In part 1 of this 4 part series, we're going to offer some tips to consider when trying to build the…
The World Scout Conference announced today that The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve will host the 2019 World Scout Jamboree. That means that for the first time in 52 years, the global Scouting extravaganza will be held in the United States.
All those Bear, Wolf, and Tiger cub scouts had better start selling popcorn and saving their allowance now. The 24th WORLD Jamboree will happen at The Summit in West Virginia in 2019. All current Boy Scouts and even most Webelos will have aged out by then, but it's sure excitng news.
The news that a Guider has been told that she is now too old to run her Rainbow group, now she has turned 65. The reason being that by turning one year older she is now no longer a suitable "role model" for the girls.
Scouts from every corner of the world will soon have the experience of a lifetime at The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia. The bid to host the 2019 World Scout Jamboree is a combined effort of the Boy Scouts of America, Scouts Canada, and the Scout Association of Mexico.
An American young person survived nine hours lost on the side of a freezing mountain after using skills he learned from Chief Scout Bear Grylls.
