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A couple pictures from a recent trip in the Cedar Mesa area of Utah. Beautiful country, and we didn't see another person for four days. Plenty of durable surfaces for travel and camping. But we were constantly surrounded by cryptobiotic soils, so had to watch where we walked when traveling between canyons.
Head to the National Scouting Museum on Tuesday, June 14, for a day of patriotic fun as we celebrate Flag Day. The day's events will kick off with a solemn flag retirement ceremony at 10 a.m., and will run through 1 p.m.
Using 12,060 merit badges over the course of three days, the Northern Star Council assembled what may be the world's largest mosaic made entirely of merit badges. The finished piece, which measures more than 19 feet by 13 feet, displays an image of a Scout and the phrase, "It's Bigger Than Badges."
Marsha Williams Are boys and girls "wired" differently? Perhaps so, says Marsha Williams, president of Harvest Research Group and former senior vice president with Nickelodeon and MTV Networks' Kids & Family Division. In this six-minute video, Williams discusses the culture and goals of boys with a group of BSA leaders at the National Youth Forum held…
Last week, the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve announced the members of Patrol Z, an elite team of digital storytellers tasked with telling the world about the Scout experience leading up to the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. Thirteen members made it through the rigorous application process and now stand ready to start telling your…
The National Conservation and Environment Task Force has released a comprehensive guide (No. 430-022) for council conservation committees. The publication is designed to provide a framework to help councils implement effective conservation programs, manage resources, promote awards, and generate revenue.
The Jamboree-on-the-Air, or JOTA, is an annual Scouting event that uses amateur radio to link Scouts around the world, around the nation, and in your own community. For the 2011 event, which will be held October 15–16, we have just finished assembling the promotional and operational information.
The 2011 Council Market Analysis Report, containing demographic and Tapestry information about each council's members and population, is now available on MyBSA. To download the report, visit Resources > BSA Resources > Council Market Analysis Reports. An Excel table of the report data is available upon request to [email protected] .
For the fifth consecutive year, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is sponsoring a special grant program for local councils. Grants are available for a variety of purposes, but innovative programs that will attract new members and retain current members are most desirable.
Rappelling a cliff. Shooting the rapids. Creating a one-sided, two-color flier. All can be a white-knuckle ride if you aren't outfitted with the proper gear. The BSA's new Brand Identity Guide contains all the tools you need to craft messages that kids will want to hang on their bedroom walls.
Registration for the 2013 National Jamboree to be held July 15-24 at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve is now open at the Summit's jamboree website . The national registration fee for participants is $850. Youth participants and leaders registering should check with their local council for fee and payment details, including travel and tour…
Last time Alex Lloyd left the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, his emotions were running high after a fourth-place finish in the 2010 Indianapolis 500. A year later, Lloyd left the track on the same emotional high after two long and trying days of qualifying, that resulted in a last minute qualifying attempt that put his #19…
The podcast experiment thus far and managing our roles as parent and Scout leader: how do we do both without driving our sons crazy? Subscribe to the Scoutmaster Newsletter Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Podcast Music null
A thrilling finish by Alex Lloyd? It must be Indy 500 time. The BSA Motorsports driver successfully qualified yesterday for the Indianapolis 500. But getting a spot in the 33-car field wasn't easy. Fourteen drivers; nine remaining spots. Those were Lloyd's odds coming into yesterday's Bump Day, where drivers who aren't fast enough get bumped…
Reader Bill Macfarlane spotted this curious sight that needs a good caption. Send your caption here or post it in the comments. The contest ends a week from today. The winner gets the coveted Kyber Pass granting you the privilege of moving to the front of any line at any camp trading post.
Wayne had a few nervous moments and bouts of apprehension as he prepared for his visits last week which varied from presenting CSGAs, celebrating with the Guides and a Q+A session........
Yes, I realize that if your tent leaks during a rainstorm your fun and enjoyable weekend could turn somewhat lousy. I understand that because it has happened to me a couple times. That is why when I saw the picture shown at http://www.scoutmastercg.com/2011/05/caption-contest/ I just had to break out laughing.
A young man sits across from you at a table, he is new to the Troop and seeking that first badge.. the Scout Badge. He sheepishly asked for a Scoutmaster conference, and now he is stepping off on the Trail to Eagle.
As Traveling Trainers, we understand the importance of consistently having kids actively engaged in our workshops. By having kids saying, hearing, seeing, and doing, the retention rate of the information will be much higher. Since 2001, Leave No Trace has been in a partnership with REI to present our youth program called PEAK, Promoting Environmental…
PROGRAM OVERVIEW Backpacking, Climbing, Kayaking, Cycling Crews backpack from outpost to outpost on mountain trails on a schedule they choose. Program outposts include forge, caving, rock climbing, mountain biking, mountain man, civil war, and lumber jack. Crews arrive on Sunday and leave on Saturday.
The bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007 after a successful recovery. A Scout is Kind, and that shouldn't just apply to other humans. Animals are in need of Scouts' compassion, too. So, in recognition of last Friday's Endangered Species Day, here are six ways your pack, troop, or crew can…
Tonight I've been to meet a potential new Assistant Scout Leader. He got in touch, out of the blue, to say he was interested in helping us, so I invited him for a chat. The interesting thing was that he had been a Leader (and Cub, Scout etc.)
When we're in the back country on backpacking and canoeing trips we have to purify our water. I see providing safe drinking water as a group rather than an individual responsibility. It is also something that needs to be simple, as foolproof as possible and reasonably affordable.
Josh decided to go to the top of Deer Lake Mesa. It is a side hike that we had talked about doing when we were planning things back in Melrose. No one shows any interest in going along with him so he tries to go off by himself.
The symbolism is great in the Boy Scouts of America, great tools for reminding us to do what is right. When describing the Scout Badge a Scout needs to explain the major components of it. The top of the Scout Badge for example symbolizes the Point of a compass.
So, what exactly do Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers do? The next time you get that question from an interested Scout or parent, just send them a link to the video above. It's a promo for BeAScout.org , an easy way for non-Scouts to learn about the program.
Here's an illustration that shows the phases of the moon and explains how to roughly determine direction. If the moon is the quarter, crescent or gibbous phases it's easy to note the position of the shadowed part of the moon and know where east or west is.
The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers as well as the Leave No Trace e-tour Team are conducting the following training events across the country in June. For more information about these or to attend, visit their calendars. Team East June Calendar – http://tinyurl.com/42hbluy Team West June Calendar - http://tinyurl.com/3f97tup E-tour June Calendar – http://tinyurl.com/3zd85dq California: High Sierra Music…
Today's The Buckets Comic has a great idea for controlling Scout meetings.
One of my Scouts was out last fall for a while playing football and was thinking about not coming back. His dad encouraged him, he came back, and in February he was elected Patrol Leader. This led to him participating in our Troop Leader Training Conference (TLT).
What can happen when creative people take on Scouting's inspiring message? Let me put together the pieces for you. But first, you must check out this video. Like the 3,000 people who watched it in its first week online, you'll see how the world's largest merit badge mosaic took shape.
In 2011 the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics introduces a new social activism and environmental stewardship campaign called the Backyard Sessions. Backyard Sessions are designed to bring together and activate local Leave No Trace communities; to find ways communities can incorporate Leave No Trace into all of the ways they live and play.
Camp Dodge, New Hampshire--Earlier this week we had the chance to work alongside two Leave No Trace partners, the National Forest Service and the Appalachian Mountain Club , in preparation for the upcoming 2011 summer season in the White Mountains. The views of the Presidential Range from the training were a little distracting, but the trail…
In August fifteen of our Scouts and leaders are off to visit Kandersteg International Scout Center in Switzerland. We started planning and raising money last spring. Lots of research has gone into constructing a budget, planning the trip and making reservations.
...would not be complete without a stop at the Adkins Arboretum , in Ridgely, Maryland. On the advice of some close friends we spent a few hours roaming the gentle paths among acres of native plant species. This fellow nonprofit organization demonstrates the beauty and importance of being careful to 'leave what you find' when traveling…
Since the quest was started to find 8,000 bearers for the London 2012 Olympic Torch, it's clear that Scouting has a legion of unsung heroes to nominate for selection.
This is part of a new feature here on Scouting News . With the increasing number of Scouting related applications for phones I've decided to feature a new one each week. You can see a list of Scouting Apps . This week I took a look at an application called BSA Quick Guide .
I saw the tweet go out, so I thought that I would repost this blogpost from earlier this year I like patches, and I got inspired for a new idea. I have seen pictures of different Council Shoulder Patches on Twitter and Facebook.
A reader (who wishes to remain anonymous) asks; My son recently joined a Scout troop who, to my horror, burns almost all their trash in the campfire. Most leaders that do this either don't think it's a problem, or have just learned to be indifferent.
Click to view slideshow. There are as many great Scouting stories out there as there are great Scouts. In other words: too many to count. You'll find many of these tales in the pages of Scouting and Boys' Life magazines, expertly conveyed through award-winning stories and photographs.
Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer. If you are like most people your mind is already focused on the great activities you have planned this weekend. Hiking? Biking? Fishing? Camping? Where will the weekend take you? Are you planning to Leave No Trace ?
Life Scout Zach Porior is working on his Eagle Scout service project and he has chosen to write and publish a collection of stories and writings by other youth his age that have had to cope with cancer or had to deal with friends and relatives that have contracted this disease.
Reserve Airmen recently arrived here to begin work on a 10,600 acre National Scout Jamboree site as part of Joint Task Force Summit. More than 20 civil engineers from the 477th Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, began clearing trees and installing silt fences on the site.
Recently our troop took part in a joint landscaping project with the other troop in town. Most of us adults are acquainted with at least one or two families in the other troop because of our Cub Scout connections, but …
This Tuesday ShelterBox USA is hosting a webinar on ShelterBox and Scouting. While I am not a presenter, I'm pleased to say they will be announcing the ShelterBox and Scouting presentation I put together for our council's Tradeshow of Scouting. Listen as ShelterBox USA Scout Coordinator, Mark Dyer, shares ShelterBox's partnership with the Boy Scouts
BSA IndyCar driver Alex Lloyd (right) and team owner Dale Coyne were all smiles at the 2010 Indy 500 after the team finished fourth. They'll be looking to match or better that performance on Sunday. Do a Good Turn Daily?
Red Loge, MT. On this glorious Memorial Day weekend, we trust that responsible recreation is taking place all across the country. Team West will be enjoying all of the splendor that beautiful Montana has to offer. The snowfall persists in this region as Beartooth Pass is expected to see one to two feet of fresh…
Well, its been a few days since the last post, and not for a lack of trying or ‘want to' rather the National Meetings of the BSA had my attention. Over the next few posts I will be discussing some of the things I picked up, but for now I just want to say thanks…
Phil Peck Scoutmaster of Troop 141 in Cocolalla, ID is the randomly selected winner of the giveaway for the May Scoutmastercg Newsletter! Phil won a Rite in the Rain Outdoor Journal . Watch for the June Newsletter on the 15th – It's all about Summer Camp!
At the annual Boy Scouts of America 2011 National Council Recognition Dinner held Friday night in San Diego, Dale & Gail Coyne, owners of Dale Coyne Racing, became the first couple since Ronald and Nancy Reagan to receive the prestigious "Silver Buffalo" award, the Boy's Scouts of America highest commendation.
I turned 18 in 1943. The draft board was very prompt in calling people during the war and I got my draft notice right away. I was going to graduate from Milford High School in mid June so I wrote the draft board and requested I be allowed to stay and graduate with my class.
From the archives this week. Volunteering with some limits, a story from summer camp. Subscribe to the Scoutmaster Newsletter Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Podcast Music null
Life is tough as an urban strawberry. Choose The Right Path, and be sure not to jam up someone else's day! Mark and Tara 2011 e-tour team
From Larry Glickman, Park Ranger and Utah Leave No Trace & Tread Lightly Coordinator for the Bureau of Land Management at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. "From the Master Educator course we just completed here in Escalante, UT (May 23-27) at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument .
Memorial Day has always been a day that our family observed beyond the BBQ and long weekend event. My Dad was a career soldier and served in Vietnam, and having lost many of his friends there, Memorial Day had special meaning.
Depending on where you live, there is nothing quite like reconnecting with your Chaco sandals after the hiatus that is winter. Recently, we had the opportunity to spend time connecting with nature on Willipa Bay, WA. During our time there, we observed a bald eagle perched on driftwood, witnessed a black bear rolling around in…
Dan Marner's caption drew the most votes for caption contest number one: Bad news, guys, the SPL says that each night will NOT count twice towards our Camping merit badge. Dan wins the coveted Khyber Pass . Send in your humorous or curious Scout picture for the next caption contest and get a your own Khyber…
PROGRAM OVERVIEW Philmont style High Adventure Treks and Stake Encampment features. Slot canyoneering and Bicycling the top trails of Brian Head are two of the most requested side trips that can be built into the program for the units. Areas such as Mountain Men, Rappelling, Aquatics, Mountain Biking and Canyoneering areas all have a different…
Reader Mike Duff, Scoutmaster of Troop 381 in Prairie Village Kansas, sent this picture that needs a good caption: post your best idea in the comments and don't forget to vote! VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE CAPTION! Read the captions in the comments listed below.
First of all I want to thank all of you for reading the blog. I want to especially thank those of you that have recently subscribed to the blog and podcast. We just saw a big bump in "membership". That's great and thanks.
Lake Placid, NY -- Over Memorial Day weekend, we had the pleasure of working with program partner the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks. Over the course of five days we interacted with hundreds of visitors and ADK staff and even managed to squeeze in over 30 miles of hiking.
Click to view slideshow. A Scout is Loyal. So it made sense that BSA IndyCar driver Alex Lloyd, after finishing 19th at the Indianapolis 500, wasted no time in complimenting his teammates in a Twitter post . He didn't complain, as so many sports personalities do these days.
