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Day 3: Wrote two letters of recommendation for Eagle scouts for scholarships. Our council has an Eagle scholarship as does NESA and other organizations. This is one instance where achieving that rank does pay off. If any other scouting bloggers want to use the numerals, they are at - replace [xx] with 01, 02, 03, ..., 98…
Details of some of the main changes proposed, and our official response to the announcement
Around The Scouting Campfire #22 is finally released. In this episode, Scoutmaster Steve talks about the Scoutmaster Award of Merit and a scout leader's reality check. Buttons answers questions from a few Cub Scouts from out west. Buttons also reads some feedback left on the PTC Media forums about his awesome pictures from summer camp.
Today I: - chatted with a fellow Scouter and planned some Scout Nation recording next week - emailed the CC about the Committee Meeting last night - met with a new Scoutmaster and talked show at the meeting after the meeting - went to District Roundtable...sat on a panel about Grubmasters and shared our practices -talked to a Life…
Thursdays are easily my favorite night of the week. It means the weekend is almost here but there's still time to wrap things up. It's also the night of our weekly Troop meeting. Out of 100 Days of Scouting I …
(As in “oooooooh, shiny! I must have this!”) So I’m going to try out an idea to do a post a week on some sort of piece of gear that I really enjoy using while camping or for other Scouting purposes.
Another Great Scouting Day. Round Table tonight was fun, I made an announcement for the up coming Wood Badge course, answered some questions regarding Wood Badge. Promoted the 2013 National Scouting Jamboree. Assisted in the Boy Scout break out.. we talked about planning and preparing for a 50 miler.
This is a recipe for cooking with Cub Scouts. This is a little more involved than some recipes I used with my Cubs, but they really enjoyed kneading the color into the bread. And even if the colors don't come out bright red, white, and blue, Cub Scouts will enjoy eating fresh baked bread.
Hello Dear Reader. Ok I have an question what is it with Adults and Badges? I have recently seen a couple of questions on-line and outside of the www world...
If you have been following me for awhile you are aware the I have a Flickr account to which I have posted thousands of pictures featuring over thirty years of Scouting in Melrose. I also belong to several Flickr Scouting themed groups, and I am the administrator for the Flickr Wood Badge Photos group.
This is "Patch A" This is "Patch B" I know, I know. I'm sorry. With all the nasty weather last week, all hopes of a Name That Council contest kinda melted away. But I come bearing gifts: Two mystery patches this week.
I usually don't talk about gear or what I wear, but recently, I picked up this jacket . I will have to say that it's the best investment that I have made in the last couple of years...ranks right up there with the Danner boots that lasted me almost 4 years.
I received a phone call yesterday from one of my Scouts.. the name is not important, neither is his age, he is a Scout and has enough confidence in his Scoutmaster to give him a call when he needs an answer to life's pressing questions.
New Recipe for Boy Scouts
A tip of my official, BSA-licensed hat goes to the excellent National Supply Group and Philmont's Tooth of Time Traders . That's because SNEWS and Backpacker magazine recently honored both retail operations for their quality work in the field of outdoor gear sales.
1930 brought on a significant addition to Scouting with the development of Cub Scouting for younger boys. Used by permission. Boy Scouts of America® All Rights Reserved. In the early years of the BSA, leaders recognized what they called a "younger boy problem," meaning that boys below the age of 12 were watching their older…
Let your voice be heard! Today marks your final chance to vote for the American Spirit Award. First, read a recap of the four Boy Scout finalists , and then head over to Boys' Life ‘s site to make your selection.
Filed Tour Permit (so far no notice from council on moving to the new "tour plan" system) for the Troop's snow-tubing trip Filed Tour Permit and booked reservations for March campout at N0-Be-Bo-Sco – Yes we're camping at the site where Friday …
American Labor Merit Badge 100 Days of Scouting is off to a great start. Seventeen people are involved...so far! Rumors of others out there...we'll see. The first weekend of the program is coming up, and is usually a hurdle to cross.
Contacted Webelos den leaders about scouts crossing-over this month and to see if anyone would benefit from a rah-rah chat about Boy Scouting. Emailed some other scoutmasters about training scheduled this spring. And, voted for Garr for the American Spirit Award over at Boys' Life.
Around The Scouting Campfire #22 is finally released. In this episode, Scoutmaster Steve talks about the Scoutmaster Award of Merit and a scout leader's reality check. Buttons answers questions from a few Cub Scouts from out west. Buttons also reads some feedback left on the PTC Media forums about his awesome pictures from summer camp.
Did some self educating on Journey To Excellence; Is it just me or are the majority of the requirements Aids to Scoutmastership in bullet point format? Not that that's a bad thing. Going to put together brief presentation for …
Nowdays, just about everyone has a mobile phone, or an iPod or some other electronic device that has those battery bars on them. We are all familiar with the bars, and what happens when there are no bars. Sometimes the little picture of the battery flashes, sometimes you get warnings about low battery.
For this meeting plan, you will need to take a field trip to a zoo, nature center, wildlife preserve, or similar location. Don't forget to put the "outing" in Cub Scouting every now and then.
A few days ago I wrote about a full page ad in the weekly newspaper celebrating the anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America and the local Scouting program. The spread featured pictures of the local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.
Sorry this is late all... I did not plan to do any Scouting on Day 4. My son and I traveled to his new college to learn about their School of Music, Music Education program. It was an incredible day filled with lots of information, several concerts and some placement tests and auditions that my…
I usually try to keep this blog in an upbeat mood, but I received a letter today from Justin Szalsa, the director of 759: Boy Scouts of Harlem, with some unhappy news this morning. One of the stars of the film, Colin "KC" Byers, has passed away.
Animal Science Merit Badge Nice day out today, prematurely warm. Spent a lot of time out looking at my garden, cleaning up the area in between the square-foot boxes, and adding more leaves to add to the rot. So what does that have to do with Scouting?
Today is the fifth day of the 100 Days of Scouting program. What do I write about? Hmmmmm. How about a quick shout out to Boy Scout Troop 68′s Charter Organization? For over thirty years the Melrose VFW Post 7050 has supported our Scouting program.
Did you ever notice how much a BSA troop flag looks like a Campbell's soup label? Why's that? Coincidence or conspiracy? Hmmmm, I wonder. Another thing that's interesting. Look closely at those little gold stars around the bottom of the soup can label.
Plan your work and work your plan...that's all there really is to being a scout leader. It's not rocket science, it's not neurosurgery...it's scouts. Poor communication, lack of planning and not following through results in lost scouts...something that I am not a big fan of.
Today I: - worked with the Treasurer on some budget ideas - updated the online sign up for the March Campout - emailed various Scouts and Scouters about all sorts of things, including Webelos, supplies, sick Scout, Merit Badge Cards, Cross Over dates, New Scout Patrols - exchanged information with a local Scoutmaster about a topic from Roundtable....
With baseball season right around the corner, let your Cub Scouts make their own trading cards with "Cub Scout stats". This Cub Scout craft works great with any sports themed den or pack meeting.
The Scouter Mom blog posted an article today that caught my attention, and moved me to action. The article was about Cub Scout Trading Cards, similar to baseball trading cards. She described it as a possible den or pack project.
Last night I took my wife, daughter Amber, and our good friend Clarissa Erikson out for a Valentine's Day dinner provided by Boy Scout Troop 1010 under the direction of Time Greetens and Jason Norman. On the menu was a choice of either Lasagna or Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, tossed salad, garlic bread, and dessert of…
Days 4, 5, and 6 were eventful and plenty of good Scouting Moments... Unfortunately I have not taken the time, till now to sit down and jot down the thoughts... well I am going to claim that time and space was the reason.
Archaeology Merit Badge A quiet day today, preparing for a quick St. Valentine's Day trip tomorrow. The calendar was actually clear today of Scouting commitments--in fact the whole weekend was. Pretty unusual event around here. None of us really knew what to do instead!
So most churches celebrated Scout Sunday last Sunday. However, at First Presbyterian Church (my home church) we do Scout Sunday the 2nd weekend in February because it won’t double-up with communion Sundays, which are long enough as it is. This is the 5th Scout Sunday I’ve helped plan at the church and each year it…
Today we had our PAL meeting...that stands for Parent and Leader Meeting...another catchy name for our committee meeting...pretty poor turnout, but I think that everyone is "worn"...we are going through the winter doldrums here, and scouting has been getting hit pretty hard...one thing after another.
Today was Scout Sunday (we've had some wicked weather here these past few weeks) so I uniformed up (thanks HIMYM) and headed to the Church we met at. There I watched several of my Scouts and younger Scouts (and Girl Scouts) participated in the mass at several levels.
Only one thing for Scouting today and that was to inventory the Cub awards (belt loops, pins and Webelos activity badges) that made their way to my basement last Blue & Gold and never came back again. I shared the …
Day 6: I spent most of my afternoon in a district annual planning meeting, representing Training. It wasn't much fun really, but important work to figure out when we'll have Camporee, Klondike, Pinewood Derby, Scoutmaster and Cubmaster training, Outdoor Leader Skills, OA events, Eagle Previews, and the dozens of other things that go on each…
Maybe this hsould have been a constrictor instead? by Bill Sykes, from page 92 of Scout Smiles, edited by EGW Wood, published in 1950 and long out of print (but possibly available second hand on Amazon.com )
Well really nothing much today... spent a great day hanging with the family. Did a little work on the blog, but really not a Scouting day. I posted earlier today about the FISH program. I really encourage you to follow those links and see what they have to offer.
This puzzle is for you Boy Scouts who want to inject a little fun into learning the different environmental science terms for requirement 2 for the Environmental Science merit badge.
I collect Boy Scout handbooks. I started collecting them shortly after I became a scoutmaster. I would check out any used bookstores that I would come across to find any Scouting themed books; handbooks, history books about Scouting, fictional novels.
Hello Dear Reader About a month ago I made a post about Rising to the Challenge. Well the event that I was talking about ran over the weekend of the...
Tomorrow is the last regularly scheduled Lightning Dragon den meeting. It should be pretty productive too. Lots to get accomplished. On the list of things to do: Gathering - Collect homework / sign off on AOL for the last 2 boys in the den to be completed (they both had to finish the Showman Activity Badge) / Set…
This week, a youth delegation from the Boy Scouts of America visits Washington, D.C., for the organization's annual Report to the Nation. The report , which summarizes the past year in Scouting, tells our elected officials what you and I already know: that the BSA made a profound impact on the lives of young people in…
Monday nights are troop meeting nights. Tonight the older boys will be reviewing things for the Personal Management merit badge. Our two younger Boy Scouts will be finishing their Tenderfoot Ranks requirements (at least, that it the plan). I am hoping that the boy who came to our meeting last week to "test the Scouting…
Want a unique way to send love to your valentine AND the earth? Make a $14 donation to Leave No Trace and your valentine will receive love from Bigfoot . Here's how it works: 1. Make a $14 donation (or become a member) to Leave No Trace by 7pm EST today.
Northern Arizona University (NAU) in Flagstaff, Arizona is one of the many nation-wide educational institutions that has partnered with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. The mission of the NAU Outdoor Program is to facilitate experiential opportunities where students have the ability to learn the values of trusting one's self, intrapersonal communication, diversity…
Leadership and respect, Advancement question, A Scout asks for a raise. Scoutmaster Podcast 56 Links in this Podcast 1913 proof edition of the Handbook for Scout Masters Merit Badge University appearance in Murfeesboro Tenn esee What's New You can participate in the podcast by calling (484) 734-0002 and recording a voicemail message.
One song from my time as a Scout stands out among all others. I have forgotten most of the words as time has passed, but I still remember the song's tune and its key lyric: "I want to go back to Philmont."
Today I: > Responded to a slew of questions from the parent of an incoming Webelos on how ranks, merit badges and camping (summer) work within our troop; > Requested a current list of merit badge counselors from our District Awards Chair; > Submitted info to get a summer camp presentation scheduled for our Troop;
Today I: > Responded to a slew of questions from the parent of an incoming Webelos on how ranks, merit badges and camping (summer) work within our troop; > Requested a current list of merit badge counselors from our District Awards Chair; > Submitted info to get a summer camp presentation scheduled for our Troop;
Today I: - finished a chat with Scoutmaster Jerry (at about 12:30 this morning) - printed out some replacement merit badge cards for a Life Scout - emailed some reports to a Scout who moved to Seattle - talked with another Scouter about TLT and shared some resources - responded to the CC who has been away for the weekend…
Today is one of those days...zero ambition on the scouting front, more or less, zero ambition all around. This cold/sinus infection/earache has gotten the best of me, but I was still able to get over to the PC to do my 100 days...
Archery Merit Badge [OK, how appropriate for Archery to be the image for St. Valentine's Day? Think Cupid!] Today was busy spending time with my wife of forever--29 years of marriage this summer. In a way, it was a great way to thank her for all of the time spent on Scouting.
I like to review some fire safety rules with my Webelos before the fire is built. That way they all know the expectations.
When Mike Rowe attended the 2010 National Jamboree Arena Show the Boy Scouts went nuts! At that moment he was more popular then a rock star. And to top it off, he is an Eagle Scout. Did you know that a couple of Scouts had the chance to interview him while he was at The…
Over the weekend of February 12 th through the 13 th we were in Glen Rose, Texas for a two day trainer course. The course was an opportunity for all 12 participants to learn and teach together about the seven program principles and minimizing our impacts while enjoying our favorite public lands.
Day 7: Our troop is considering dividing into two troops. We've discussed it for the past year and are now in the decision-making stages since I've announced I'll be done as scoutmaster in the fall. We have two excellent scoutmaster candidates lined up, facilities in which to meet, about 70 families to divide, and 8…
I am going to start with an early post, as opposed to what I normally go through, by posting at night after a full day or not so full day. In recent posts, I have ranted or been a bit incoherent, or just rambled about, well, nothing....
Day 7 of the #100daysofscouting project ended at our Troop meeting last night. Final preparations for this weekends camp out and Scoutmaster minute that left many of the Scouts wondering if they were ever going to be Eagle Scouts. Ok let me explain...
From left: Vanya Keyes, Tony Hansberry, Kevin Garcia, Angel Cabanilla, Soloman Goodwin, Rep. Boehner, Jonathan Hillis, Vasant Bhardwaj, Jennifer Lowe, and Jace Taliaferro. From the BSA's Flickr photostream , I spotted this photo of the 2010 Report to the Nation delegates meeting Speaker of the House John Boehner yesterday.
Just a few minutes ago, the patch at left was delivered to my office. It's the official 2011 World Scout Jamboree patch for the Boy Scouts of America's contingent. It's more than just a cool-looking patch, though. For me, it's the first tangible sign that I'm actually going to this summer's big event in Sweden.
Tonight I am going to induct my five Webelos II’s into the Order of the Fork. I have been trying to restart this tradition in our pack for four years, but keep forgetting at each campout. So tonight over pizza they will be “forked in” and become members.
Architechture Merit Badge Great day! Back from a St. Valentine's Day mini-vacation, and caught back up on the scads of email and work that built up in a day-and-a-half. Scouting never rests though, marching along whether we are plugged in or not!
Listened to episode 56 of Clarke Green's Scoutmaster podcast. I doubt there's many people reading this blog that haven't heard of Clarke's podcast and blog but if you found me through 100 Days of Scouting and aren't familiar with Clarke's stuff head on over to http://scoutmaster.typepad.com and check it out. > Thanks to Clarke
It is hard to imagine another week where so many news stories have included references to Scouting. In addition, I managed to fit in several one-to-one meetings, had a great day in Sutton Coldfield for the last of the DC/GSL forums in England and spent a fantastic morning with the adults of Loughborough District on…
In an effort to learn something new every day I have been a quest to learn more about some merit badges. I have a sash that belonged to my Father in Law. The merit badges are mostly Type D and E merit badges, so they range from 1942 to 1960.
Day 8: Contacted the last den leaders about Webelos cross-overs. Finally have the 'firm' numbers and commitments. The SPL has asked for volunteers to attend the cross-over ceremonies and welcome the new scouts. There's a couple scouts assigned to each of the three ceremonies, so we're ready there.
Tonight was the Troop Elections. It was a busy busy Scouting Day...a quick roundup but at some point I have a few good posts in me waiting to get out. - started off printing out progress reports for all the 1st year Scouts - designed an Election Sheet for the SPL and recorded over 22 Scouts interested…
This series of badges offers a challenge to older scouts who might be getting a little bored with the program. Present the information to your youth leadership and let them think about if they want to incorporate it into their program.
Hello Dear Reader CilBen who guest authors on this blog wrote a post recently on his blog called Dinner for 7 please and I thought it was such a good...
Compasses point at magnetic north. Meridians of longitude point at true north. Latitude and longitude, a grid of measured coordinates, determine geographic locations. Compass readings have to be reconciled to the measured grid; a factor called declination. The magnetic poles of the earth shift slightly over time, and declination changes depending on your location.
Two chances to win didn't make Friday's Name That Council contest twice as easy. Only 42 people correctly guessed at least one of the two mystery council patches. Of those 42, just 25 correctly guessed both. Those of you who follow Scouting magazine on Facebook were given a helpful clue: both of the councils hail…
Bigfoot needs your ideas and creativity! His February Challenge is a call to action through suggestions and ideas. If you have any new ideas for 2011 Challenges, Bigfoot wants to hear them at [email protected]. If your idea is selected, you will win a pair of Smartwool socks.
Jace Taliaferro, Star Scout For Jace Taliaferro, this was more than just another meeting. The 13-year-old presented the Report to the Nation to U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on Tuesday as part of the BSA's annual visit to Washington, D.C.
In this month's episode of WBtv, I'd like to discuss a topic that seems to be a hot-button issue for just about everyone within the BSA: technology. While it's something that we take seriously-as evidenced by our recent hiring of the first chief information officer in our history-it's also something that takes a tremendous amount…
After working together for nearly a century to provide Scouts with the ability to learn radio communication skills, the Boy Scouts of America and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)-the national association for amateur radio-have officially teamed up after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
Phoenix park rangers and volunteers play How Long Does It Last? In April of 2009, the Traveling Trainer program made Phoenix a priority stop. It was a monumental time for the city, as they were kicking off an official partnership with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.
So it seems like each Wednesday was the day to post something food related, so I’ll keep with that topic for this week. At our district’s Klondike Derby each year, the adults from each unit who run the cities participate in a chili cook-off.
Through the Wireless merit badge (now known as Radio merit badge), the Jamboree on the Air, and K2BSA at the national Scout jamboree, the Boy Scouts of America and the Amateur Radio Relay League have a partnership that has spanned generations.
Art Merit Badge Wednesday again--and super busy! All of the sunshine pouring in my window is not helping either... It is almost as though my company can remotely sense that this is a busy night for Scouting. But that is part of the rush of excitement that will propel me through the meetings tonight!
As we enter the second week of 100 Days of Scouting , I thought it might be fun to ask you all a few trivia questions and see how you do. Just like in previous trivia posts, the questions from this one come from the 1986 Scout Trivia book.
Not a lot to talk about tonight, other than recording Scout Nation!... Cold is kicking my rear end, but I have to do it for all of the scouters out there...I love all of you!... Must be the meds...ni-night..
Another busy day of Scouting here: - worked with Council on an Eagle Book for one of my Scouts - Did some TroopMaster work after Elections - Got some information to a parent about a local Cub Pack for her son - exchanged best practices with 2 other Scoutmasters - sent records for a Scout that moved out of town…
Handed off some surplus awards (from my Cubmaster days) to the Pack's Advancement Chair; > FINALLY found the image I wanted to use as part of the presentations to the incoming Webelos at the Blue & Gold. More to come on that one… (it's not the image above.) > Had a conversation with the
Ian Whitaker, an 8 year old Cub Scout from Mt. Vernon Ohio has been awarded the Boy Scouts of America Heroism Medal for his quick and decisive actions in administering first aid to his injured Grandfather. The Heroism medal is one of the highest honors a Scout can receive.
Some participants in an activity might resist wearing the helmet or PFD, but it really doesn't matter if they want to wear the equipment or not. Either they comply or they don't participate.
In November 2010, The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers Team East, Jason and Agata Ketterick, conducted a Trainer Course for Boy Scouts in Orlando, FL. We recently received an email from a participant who attended this Trainer Course with his son.
There has been a lot of discussion lately about how much time and the toll Scouting takes on the life of a Scouter. And while this is true in some cases, I think it is all about priorities and taking the time to stop and smell the roses.
Life on the road as Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers is an adventure each and every day! In our first year we traveled over 50,000 miles and educated thousands of people about enjoying the outdoors in a safe and responsible manner.
Official White House photo by Pete Souza Jennifer Lowe had two thoughts after she and other BSA delegates met President Barack Obama yesterday in the Oval Office of the White House. Thought one: Delivering the BSA's annual Report to the Nation to the President of the United States was an incredible honor.
Day 9: I spent three hours researching our troop's history today. Did you know that your council probably has records of all the youth and adult members in your troop since you were chartered? I didn't expect it would be so easy to access them, but it was.
Is anyone more recognizable than a Scout in uniform? Probably everyone in America, at one time or another, has seen someone in the iconic khaki shirt, neckerchief, and olive shorts or pants. The first version of the Scout uniform was inspired from the very thing Baden-Powell wore in the British Army.
The quest to clear out my office has only just begun. Last week, I told you that my cubicle has become the storage area for the outdoors stuff we feature in our "Great Gear" section . Manufacturers send us top-of-the-line gear, gear expert Stephen Regenold reviews the items, and then we take them in the studio…
Tune in next Monday to hear an interview with Dr. Paul Auerbach on Scoutmaster Podcast 57. Professor of Surgery in the Division of Emergency Medicine at Stanford University Dr. Auerbach is the world's leading authority on wilderness medicine and is one of the world's leading authorities on emergency medicine.
