Methods of Scouting – Advancement (opens in a new tab)
Advancement is one of the "Methods of Scouting" used in Boy Scouts. I am the Advancement Chair for our troop, so I am always interested in other Scouters' thoughts on advancement.
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January 2011
235 posts, oldest first.
Posts in January 2011
Two REI PEAK Trainings in Salt Lake City (opens in a new tab)
This week we had the chance to visit the Salt Lake City and Sandy REI's in Utah to facilitate two PEAK Trainings. The PEAK (Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids) program is the result of a unique partnership between REI and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.
SCOUT NATION IS HERE
It is my pleasure to announce a new venture for me, podcasting. I was asked by fellow Scoutmaster and good friend Scoutmaster Shawn (of True North fame) to be on his show a while back. It went very well and a new show was born.
Cliff Jacobson Interview slated for Podcast 54 (opens in a new tab)
I recently recorded an interview with award winning guide and author Cliff Jacobsen and finished editing it for inclusion in the next Scoutmaster Podcast. Cliff is a Distinguished Eagle Scout and great storyteller with broad experience in the outdoors. He's led a number of expeditions into far northern Canada and is getting ready to head…
What's your favorite campfire story to tell Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts? (opens in a new tab)
One of my favorite memories from Boy Scout camp-outs was gathering around the fire and listening to the assistant Scoutmasters tell campfire stories. I loved movies and books growing up, but there was something about those live stories that was more compelling than the printed word or images on a screen.
MSPP #102: Eagle Cave, Part 1 (opens in a new tab)
A long time ago (1997, to be exact) in a land far, far away (somewhere in the wilds of Wisconsin) a great adventure took place. The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 visited a location known as Eagle cave. They spent the weekend crawling, exploring, and getting pretty dirty as they found all the tunnels…
Ask the Expert: Why is the Eagle Scout age requirement 18? (opens in a new tab)
A boy must complete all requirements for the Eagle Scout Award by his 18th birthday, but why? That was the question posed by Scouter Kim. H. She writes: "Why do Scouts have to complete their Eagle requirements by their 18th birthday rather than by the time they graduate from high school?"
The Situation (opens in a new tab)
In last December's eNews, we posed the following question in a new column called The Situation : While camping with some friends, you notice someone in the next campsite trying to burn food scraps in their campfire. What would you do ?
Cartoon - Cello Bridge (opens in a new tab)
By Stewart J. Marshall, from page 35 of the book Scout Smiles, edited by EGW Wood, published in 1950 and long out of print (but possibly available second hand on Amazon.com )
Houston Business Leader Elected to Serve on World Scout Committee (opens in a new tab)
Houston energy executive and Sam Houston Area Council board member Dan Ownby will serve as one of a 12-member committee of volunteers from around the world that represents more than 31 million Scouts from 220 countries and territories. His election was made at the recent World Scout Conference in Brazil-where it was also announced the…
Share Your Memories with the National Scouting Museum (opens in a new tab)
In 2011 the National Scouting Museum is expanding its efforts to reach people whose lives have been positively influenced by their involvement in the Scouting program. Whether you are a lifetime scouter or have only been in the program for a short while, we believe you have scouting stories to share!
Your Backyard in February (opens in a new tab)
The Center is increasing programs and educational networks in your community this year. Take a look at the list below, describing where the Center staff is conducting Leave No Trace training in February. Also, click on your state on the Leave No Trace Community Page to learn what education, training and community events may be…
Scouter Mom's Favorite Trail Mix Recipe (opens in a new tab)
When it comes to trail mixes, everyone has a favorite recipe. The combinations are endless. So today I am sharing my favorite trail mix recipe.
Win a free patch if you can Name That Council (Jan. 28, 2011) (opens in a new tab)
The fleur-de-lis, an old-school plane, and some sort of insect. That's it for clues for this week's Name That Council. On Wednesday I asked you if you like tough Name That Council patches or prefer only easy ones. Most of you were up for a challenge, so this is it.
Chicken Quesadillas (opens in a new tab)
New Dutch Oven Recipe for Boy Scouts
Fetzer introduces limited edition Earth Day bottle (opens in a new tab)
Fetzer Vineyards is celebrating 25 years of pioneering earth-friendly winemaking practices, by releasing a limited edition Earth Day bottle featuring a striking new label designed by a renowned local artist. Additionally, in honor of Earth Day and its 25 years of sustainability initiatives, Fetzer is donating $10,000 to Leave No Trace, an organization dedicated to…
Home! (opens in a new tab)
Hey all! To add the the list of new bodies in the office... My name is Stephanie, the new outreach intern! I am originally from the East Bay, CA but my heart has resided in Colorado for the past ten years, ever since I spent my first summer at a camp in the Collegiate Peaks.
Looking back: Technology at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree
At the 2010 National Scout Jamboree last July, as I sat down and typed out a blog post for Scouting magazine's site, I wasn't thinking about the wireless network that allowed me to post those words and pictures. I was only thinking about how much fun I was having at my fourth jamboree and how…
5 Star University offers more than scouting degrees (opens in a new tab)
On Saturday, January 29, 2011, Voyageur District will be hosting 5 Star University of Scouting at Lakeshore Technical College, in Cleveland, Wisconsin. Scouters, who have attended these annual events, know that there are a lot of "extras" that go along with the event besides the opportunity to earn a Scouting Degree.
Selecting Snow Shoes
Snow shoeing is a great Scouting activity. Giving you the ability to go where you can't wearing a pair of boots. Snow shoes open up trails and adventures that make memories. But there is a lot of confusion when picking the right pair.
Baltimore Area Council Supporters Pledge $175,000 at Campaign Kick-off
The Baltimore Area Council, Boy Scouts of America (BAC, BSA) publicly kicked-off its annual fundraising campaign with a reception at the National Aquarium Baltimore. More than 200 business and civic leaders joined the Scouting community to demonstrate their support for the values based Scouting programs in Baltimore City and the surrounding counties of Baltimore, Harford…
Expertise, Sense, and Knowledge (opens in a new tab)
They tell me BSA doesn't stand for "Baby Sitters of America" but, much like a trusted babysitter, adult volunteers do take on the responsibility of keeping youth safe. Their parents expect us to have expertise, sense, and knowledge enough to return the same number of scouts we started with, in pretty much the same condition.
Ideas for February Pack Meeting – Resourcefulness (opens in a new tab)
The core value for Cub Scouts for the month of February is resourcefulness. How can resourcefulness be incorporated into a pack program?
Addams Family Grace (Song) (opens in a new tab)
With Scout Sunday and a lot of Blue and Gold events coming up, I thought I'd post one of our favorite Cub Scout graces today.
Keeping Safe on the Internet (opens in a new tab)
On Wednesday, I had a nice day out from work to go to a Think U Know training course in Cardiff. Think U Know is a website run by The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) which has information for children aged 5 – 7, 8 – 10 & 11 – 16 on how to stay safe on…
Pioneered Canoe Polo goals (opens in a new tab)
Our local Sea Scout group, First Benoni , hosted the provincial Scout and Cub Canoe Polo contests this weekend. They built these nets using thatching laths. Because these nets will be used again, the joints are fastened with screws, but you could just as easily use lashings.
Scout Sunday and Scout Sabbath (opens in a new tab)
Scout Sunday and Scout Sabbath are rapidly approaching. Scout Sunday is always the Sunday preceding February 8, or February 8 if it is a Sunday. The Saturday following Scout Sunday is Scout Sabbath.
An Hour A Week? #251
New format… kind of. Between an internet connection issue and allergies, this was not the whiz-bang event I was hoping for, but still some good information for Awards Chairs, Cubmasters getting Blue and Golds prepped, Jr. & Sr. Webelos leaders and our Question of the Week.
Memorabilia Monday: Filmstrips (opens in a new tab)
Before there was the internet, dvd's, or even vhs tapes, council and district training sessions used filmstrips to assist training adult leaders. I happen to own four filmstrips used by our council in the 1980′s. The council was going to throw them in the trash until I said I would take them.
Memorabilia Monday: Green Bar Bill's autograph is indelible (opens in a new tab)
It doesn't have the historical weight of W.D. Boyce's meeting with the Unknown Scout, but Bob Olafson considers his meeting with William Hillcourt to be just as special. Olafson met Hillcourt, known to you and me as "Green Bar Bill," and was never the same.
Weekend update
Just a quick note on the great camp out we had this last weekend. There were three things that really stand out as the hallmark of this last Troop camp out. And before I go further, I think that each and every camp out, event, project etc.
Outreach at Utah Valley University (opens in a new tab)
Last week we had the pleasure of returning to Utah Valley University in Orem, UT to work with the Outdoor Pursuits Program. Students at UVU have access to a wide range of outdoor opportunities through the program. Students take trips all year round from backcountry skiing in the Winter to canyoneering in Grand Gulch in…
Pick Up Poop (opens in a new tab)
I went for an early, snowy and cold hike this morning with my dog on a local trail. While the trail was quite and lonely this morning (it was 15
Armando Galarraga's visit to an Austin troop was, well, perfect
It was one of 2010′s biggest sports stories. On June 2, pitcher Armando Galarraga was one out away from a perfect game when umpire Jim Joyce made the wrong call at first base. Joyce incorrectly said the runner was safe, and the perfect game was no more.
Scoutmaster Podcast 54 (opens in a new tab)
Interview with guide and author Cliff Jacobson Scoutmaster Podcast 54 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 54 Cliff Jacobson's website Expedition Canoeing - 20th anniversary edition on Amazon Here's my review…