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The BSA has contracted with Allegiance to offer councils a special rate on survey software to design and administer online surveys, as well as analyze data and create reports. Scout executives can purchase a one-year license for their council now through Friday, June 17, by signing up online .
A simple, fillable PDF is available online for councils to share information regarding out-of-council troops attending their camp to home councils. This important data will help each council more accurately track Boy Scouts who attend long-term resident camp, regardless of location.
Council and district volunteers must renew their membership annually. The registration period for council and district volunteers is set by each local council, but is commonly January through December or July through June. Councils should contact council and district volunteers annually to renew their BSA volunteer membership registration.
The Briefcase-the online resource containing employment policies and procedures, legal requirements, and advisory practices for Scout executives-has been updated and can be accessed through MyBSA > Resources > The Briefcase. As you scroll through the Briefcase, you will see changes highlighted in yellow as well as new documents and links to fillable PDFs.
The BSA has launched a major initiative to build a better framework to deliver information, standardize our business processes, and improve day-to-day operations between the National and local councils. To keep employees up to date on the progress of this initiative, a monthly, one-page newsletter has been created.
The Talent Management Department is developing new job profiles (i.e., job descriptions) for the positions of Scout executive, field director, and district executive. As part of the research for these new profiles, we will be conducting an email survey of many commissioned professionals during the month of June to gain input on these new job…
How can a council log service hours for multiple units? The council can do one of two things: (1) The council can set up an OA lodge log (if one isn't already set up) to use as a "dumping ground" for service hours added by council/district staff, and (2) since most councils have a troop…
This past weekend was the Lyons Outdoor Games , held in Lyons, Colorado . This is an event that has hosted the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers in the past but they didn't attend this year. However, because of the Leave No Trace influence over the years, the Games has institutionalized a river clean-up along the St.
How Vilhelm Hans Bjerregaard Jensen and a crate of WWI surplus semaphore flag poles changed the course of the Scouting movement. 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 REI OUTLET 20% Off Coupon!
Here is a game to go with this month's aquatic theme. It can be used to fuflill requirement 2 for the Swimming belt loop from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program: "Play a recreational game in the water with your den, pack, or family."
There is no such thing as a free lunch, or indeed even a sandwich, as Wayne joined over 150 members to take over Westminster to celebrate Volunteers Week and enjoy the annual Speakers Reception.
As I posted yesterday, our district’s Twilight Camp got under way. While things were a little slow kicking off (as is always the case on camp Mondays), the boys seemed to enjoy themselves. While all of the boys were tired by the end of the night, everyone was looking forward to the rest of the…
I KNOW there is a PFD around here SOMEWHERE!! This week's winner is Wil Henzmann Scoutmaster Troop 777 Wil has earned the coveted Kyber Pass granting him the privilege of moving to the front of any line at any camp trading post.
This photo from Scoutmaster Wil Henzmann was taken on a recent camping trip. What's your best caption for this unlikely sight? Share your best caption idea below as a comment (one entry per person please!) and most importantly: VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE CAPTION!
Fryeburg, Maine - Last weekend Team East connected with the Saco River Recreation Council , The Nature Conservancy , Boy Scouts of America , American Rivers , and numerous individual volunteers from around New England, who gathered for a day of cleaning up the river.
The patrol method is not a way to operate a Boy Scout troop; it is the only way." Baden-Powell knew that the success of any troop is contingent upon building patrol spirit and creating an environment of healthy competition. So how do you get the patrol method working in your troop?
Summer Time. A time for relaxing, a time for summer camp, a time to recharge and get ready for the next school year. Also a time for FAMILY VACATION...the bane of any year long Scout Program. For the past 6 months our average attendance was up around 93 Scouts per meeting, last few weeks with…
If you are looking for a craft for your pack pool party or aquatics themed meeting, you could let the Scouts decorate their own pool totes. Then they can carry all of their squishy balls, goggles, dive sticks, and other pool accessories themselves.
If you’ve never been mountain biking in West Virginia before, you’re missing out. You spend time outdoors. You meet interesting people. You feel some of the greatest adrenaline rushes of your life. And you get dirty. Very, very dirty. Scouts can take their MTB riding to the next level at the Summit.
Are you ready for the greatest 10 days of your life? Good; it’s coming. For 10 days you’ll be skateboarding, whitewater rafting, zip-lining, rappelling, mountain biking, hiking and lots more in the New River Gorge! That’s what SBR is all about.
New Skit for Boy Scouts
When a rank requirement says ‘active' what does it mean? How do we determine what constitutes an active scout? You'll find the Ask Andy column at USSCOUTS.org. Andy has been answering questions about Scouting for ten years on line and a lot more years prior to that.
If you have not created your first Moment, go to www.MeettheMoment.com or download the mobile app and create your first Moment. For Every Moment created, CLIF Bar will donate $5 to The Center to help protect the Places we Play.
So if you listen to Scout Nation, you heard the story of the two Scouts and the fire in the hollow tree. And the aftermath of the 'incident'. Last night we had another incident in the Troop, no we did not burn a tree down again, but it involved two Scouts.
In this episode of WBtv, I'm talking with BSA National Commissioner Tico Perez about his experiences and interactions with volunteers across the country. What questions or comments do you have for Tico? Please use the "Leave a Comment" feature below to interact with our national commissioner.
IndyCar , a set on Flickr. The race is over, but the memories live on. So let's relive the excitement from last weekend with a slideshow of excellent photos from the BSA IndyCar's race at Texas Motor Speedway. All of the photos were taken by official BSA photographer Roger Morgan.
Each year, 30,000 to 200,000 people flock to the New River Gorge for Bridge Day. (SBRLive Staff Photo) This is part 1 of a 4 part series about a service project (recycling) that we tied to some adventure stuff (Bridge Day).
If you've never been mountain biking in West Virginia before, you're missing out. You spend time outdoors. You meet interesting people. You feel some of the greatest adrenaline rushes of your life. And you get dirty. Very, very dirty. Scouts can take their MTB riding to the next level at the Summit.
Are you ready for the greatest 10 days of your life? Good; it's coming. For 10 days you'll be skateboarding, whitewater rafting, zip-lining, rappelling, mountain biking, hiking and lots more in the New River Gorge! That's what SBR is all about.
Our scouts frequently do this badge at summer camp. But they often come home from camp with an incomplete because they haven't complete requirement 9. They often think they have 20 days and nights of camping when they sign up for the badge, but they don't realize that those must all be tent camping and…
Way back in 2010, we asked all of you to help Shape The Summit. Over 1000 survey responses and Facebook comments were received from Scouts, Venturers, Scouters, and many more. Here’s a look at what you had to say. So, what do you think?
International Falls, MN. Kids all across the country are beaming with delight as the final bell of the school year rings in two months of walking barefoot, warm summer days, and exploring the natural world. Summer camp season is upon us.
No organization cares about you. Organizations aren't capable of this … People, on the other hand, are perfectly capable of caring. It's part of being a human. It's only when organizational demands and regulations get in the way that the caring fades.
It's been a few weeks away from the blogdesk for me and I'm ready to peck away at the keys again. Just took a break to do some 'real work'. A big chunk of my time this past month has been spent in preparing the new Scoutmaster to take over next month.
Here is a great lesson on leadership”¦ Enjoy.. and think about it. Have a Great Scouting Day!
Marlborough, Massachusetts- Earlier this week we had the chance to introduce Leave No Trace to twelve international students at the Massachusetts International Academy just outside of Boston, MA. The 18-21 year old students in our morning session are preparing for university life in New England through a variety of modern and diverse preparatory academic programs.
Way back in 2010, we asked all of you to help Shape The Summit. Over 1000 survey responses and Facebook comments were received from Scouts, Venturers, Scouters, and many more. Here's a look at what you had to say. So, what do you think? Add a comment, and help Shape the Summit.
The Boy Scouts of America Scrapbook from K&Company is a sturdy, fabric-covered album that would be a welcome part of any Scout or proud parent's collection. The 3.75" die-cut highlight window on the front cover is accented nicely by a metal emblem.
It's that time of year again! In celebration of all things campy, we decided to bring you a few of our favorite kids funny letters from camp. Dear Mom and Dad… This little girl seems to have only one goal in mind.
It is important to know the difference between uncomfortable weather and hazardous weather. BSA provides a great online course for learning about hazardous weather.
Mountain Bike Courses aren't your average ride in the park. (Photo by David J. Laporte/Flickr Creative Commons) For the entire month of July, Arrowmen from all over the country will be visiting the New River Gorge (NRG) to help create miles - and miles and miles - of mountain bike trails.
This week I've participated in two different uses of Twitter . First of all I was blamed by Scouter Jeff for his recent higher than normal tea consumption! My English influence reaching all the way to California apparently! This then descended into national stereotypes of me preferring tea and more of my American friends preferring coffee…
The search has begun for this year's recipients of Scout Birthday Badges. The accolades, presented to public figures who have achieved something across a range of activities, are to be given out on 1 August, Scouting's unofficial birthday.
An active Scouter for more than 70 years, John "Jack" Coughlin was recognized at the Boy Scouts of America's National Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, as the organization's Alumni of the Year. The new award is intended to recognize those individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by Scouting, or those who have impacted…
There are many out there that feel that there is no place for electronics in Scouting.. no phones, ipods, or gps units. Well I tend to disagree with those folks, but with this caveat, training, skills, and appropriate time and place.
My first introduction to ShelterBox was at the National Jamboree. Even after walking for hours amongst a sea of tents of all shapes and sizes there was something about the dome that caught me. I listened to their "mission" and was impressed by their solution. After that we were off to inspect these comfortable cocoon-like
Many Scouts will, at some point, resist going any further in Scouting. When does a parent intervene and make him stay in Scouts? Just about every boy will reach some impasse along the way that will make them reluctant or downright adamant about participating.
Welcome back.. I need to apologize for the audio quality of the first part of this show.. The F150 studio was louder than usual. In this show we talk about Stoves and other Stuff including a great Ordeal Weekend with our Lodge.
SMMPodcast show # 88 is out and ready for your ear buds. I need to apologize for the audio quality of the first part of this show.. The F150 studio was louder than usual. In this show we talk about Stoves and other Stuff including a great Ordeal Weekend with our Lodge.
This weeks poll asks the question about Unit elections. Do you hold them annually, Bi-annually? Do you hold them when ever the need arises? How do you do unit elections in your unit? Well…. Lets hear it. Leave your answer in the comments section so we all can get a feel for how unit elections…
Sunset over the boundary waters in Northern Minnesota.
Ask 90 different Scouters for their unit's uniform policy, and you'll get 90 different answers. Sure enough, that was the case a couple of weeks ago when I polled Scouting ‘s 10,000 Facebook fans on the subject and got 90 responses.
Greenbrier State Park, MD . Last weekend the e-tour found Bigfoot coming off the Appalachian Trail to meet up with his friends at the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) Day and Picnic. The PATC, operated by large committees of dedicated and energetic volunteers, maintain 240 miles of the Appalachian Trail (stretching 2175 miles between Maine and…
Florida, MA. The e-tour provided a Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop to the seasonal staff of the Manice Education Center in the Berkshire mountains of Northwest Massachusetts. They are preparing for their first round of campers to arrive to participate in environmental education and leadership development courses including multi-day excursions into wilderness settings.
Tune In To This Site For News On All Things Summit You don't have to race; there's plenty of blog for everyone (Photo Joe King/Flickr Creative Commons) Now, we aren't licensed and board-certified physicians here at SBRlive.org, but we still argue that your recommended daily diet includes a healthy portion of blog posts, nutritiously balanced…
Rolling hills are a common sight to see in the West Virginia Appalachian mountains. (Photo by Horia Varlan/Flickr Creative Commons) Seeding has begun at the Summit Bechtel Reserve . Throughout the summer of 2011, grass and plant seed will be put down to cover hundreds of acres of land at the Summit.
Nobody wants to go out swimming and meet up with a shark! But if you are at a Cub Scout meeting and the shark is your popsicle snack, that is another story. So to go along with this month's aquatics theme for Cub Scouts, here is a snack idea.
The 2013 National Scout Jamboree is closer than we think. And as construction of the site at the Summit Bechtel Reserve continues to progress, there are two things to remember – expect fun and be prepared for the adventure. “We will have skateboarding for the first time ever, as well as mountain biking, rock climbing and…
At the Scouting magazine blog , Bryan asked about the uniform policy in troops. You can read the dozens of responses to see the multitude of rules, regulations, guidelines, policies, and requirements folks have made around this one issue. It seems similar to the 'Electronics' policies and 'Active' policies that get created.
The e-tour strolled around the grounds at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. Thousands of species of flora, impressive vegetable plantings, water gardens, forested knolls and many engaging exhibits for children allowed for hours of sensory excitement. We found their attention to the auditory experience a fresh approach to the old standby of a garden…
I was flicking through my Google Analytics stats when I came across one interesting keywood search that came to this blog. The keyword was: a guide to becoming a scout leader This intrigued me, so the first thing I did was go and Google the keyword myself.
This is the fifth in the series of Tiger den meeting plans provide by BSA. If you are using this series, it works best if you do the plans in order. So do the previous meetings before this one. This meeting plan covers Tiger Achievement 5 - Let's Go Outdoors.
Add speed, height, adrenaline, and the wind in your face all together. What do you get? A zip line canopy tour , of course. (And if you share this post , you’ll also get some bonus video of a half-mile-plus zipline in Costa Rica.)
Add speed, height, adrenaline, and the wind in your face all together. What do you get? A zip line canopy tour , of course. For some, the thrill of flying through the trees in the New River Gorge is the experience of a lifetime.
When you are getting together with your extended family this summer, you might end up playing some flag football. If so, maybe your Cub Scout can earn the Flag Football pin from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program.
Father's Day Poems Walk a Little Slower Daddy "Walk a Little slower, Daddy." said a little child so small. I'm following in your footsteps and I don't want to fall. Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they're hard to see.
They prey and hunt from above, feeding on other birds. Once they spot their target, they fall into a dive that can reach over 200 mph. These are the Peregrine falcons . Peregrine falcons live on all continents except Antarctica. (Photo by Gary Hartley) Lots of these falcons lived in the New River Gorge before becoming…
The statistics are scary: Each year in the United States, an average of 55 people die from lightning strikes, and hundreds more are permanently injured. To date in 2011, there have been five lightning-related deaths, including a 13-year-old boy who was hit while bailing hay in Pennsylvania.
From Seminole County Florida...
Rock Harbor, MI. Mosquitoes. Tis the season for hatching and harassing. If these little buggers are already on your last nerve, the solution is within reach. We recently enjoyed the opportunity to backpack at Isle Royal National Park located on Lake Superior (our 46th and final National Park in the continental U.S.!).
Hickory Ridge camp opens, July 22-23, with outdoor events, training. The public is invited to celebrate the successful protection of Hickory Ridge Camp at Lake Red Rock , July 22-23, with a weekend of free outdoor fun and outdoor training. From Friday afternoon through Saturday evening, the camp project's partners will host a variety of activities…
It's summer camp season – how do we prepare ourselves, our Scouts and their parents so we all get the most out of the experience. Bill Macfarlane's blog Channeling Whittlin' Jim David Distlehorst's book Primitive Paradise at Amazon Subscribe to the Scoutmaster Newsletter Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe…
Here is a another game to go with this month's aquatic theme. It can be used to fuflill requirement 2 for the Swimming belt loop from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program: "Play a recreational game in the water with your den, pack, or family."
Have you every taken a trail and followed it to the end? Man-made and maintained trails are usually loops or have specific destinations. But, wild trails will often meander and finally fade out at some point. Then, you either go on your own, forging your way through the wild or turn back.
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Ahh… yes we do need patches.. we love patches… are you kidding me? I have been in Scouting since I was 7 years old. I have always "collected" patches from my Scouting experiences, places I have been, camps, councils etc.
Before you leave your entry this week be sure to use the link below to send in your photo for a future contest ! Can you identify this pioneering project with an appropriate caption? Post your best idea below (one per person please!)
As a qualified hyena, I find this bivouac no laughing matter. I'm waiting to hear from the winner to announce their name. The photo is from Scoutmaster Wil Henzmann Scoutmaster of Troop 777 in Cocoa Florida (Wil explains that the hyena is an archery target) You can earn a Kyber Pass if you send a…
Remember the pain of your last outdoor adventure? Next time, wear sunscreen. It's the first day of summer, meaning weeklong camps, high-adventure trips, and outdoor fun are just around the corner. It also means the sun is out in full force.
Since I am focusing on an aquatics theme this month, I thought I'd post about water rescue methods. These are methods used to rescue someone who is in trouble in the water. You will see these methods throughout the BSA programs from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts to Venturing.
I presented Wilderness First Aid and CPR/AED again last weekend - one more time this coming weekend and I'll be done until the fall. I've presented to over 100 people this year, so I'm ready for a break. To make the first aid scenarios a bit more fun, I've created fake wounds that are reusable.
The results of the "Elections" poll are in.. 75% responded that they hold elections every 6 months while the other 25% hold annual elections. There was a lot of email and comments on this one. Thank you! As promised I told you that I would weigh in on this after the poll.
Summer camp is a fantastic experience for the Scouts of your Troop. But that does not mean it can't be fun the adults that go too. Each year we take our Scouts to camp. We limit the amount of Adults, after all, this is a program for the Scouts, but the three or four adults…
Here’s an email that I get fairly regularly asking me to help resolve Scouting trouble: “My son’s (Pack, Troop, Crew) is having real difficulties with our (Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, Advisor, Committee Chair) and our program is (poor, indifferent, terrible). I’m only a (Den Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, Committee Member, parent) but I want to try and fix…
Here's an email that I get fairly regularly: "My son's (Pack, Troop, Crew) is having real difficulties with our (Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, Advisor, Committee Chair) and our program is (poor, indifferent, terrible). I'm only a (Den Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, Committee Member, parent) but I want to try and fix this situation to benefit the (Cubs, Scouts…
In the world of work, we hopefully have a job we enjoy and are prosperous at. The primary reward is a paycheck. But when people volunteer, they do so for many reasons – they believe in the organization and its …
Following from my post back in Feb about the 6 people you would have for dinner I thought I would try a 5 movies everyone should have seen by they time their 40.
Frustrated by the prospect of keeping today's always-connected kids safe from harm? Fear not; help is here. The Boy Scouts of America announced recently that it's partnering with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to offer the center's NetSmartz Internet safety program to Scouters.
LC was at camp with our Boy Scout troop last week. One of the merit badges he finished there was the Environmental Science merit badge. He had to work on it two sessions every day, but he was glad to get it finished.Most of our Scouts do this one at camp.
This past weekend, staff from the Leave No Trace headquarters in Boulder, CO had the opportunity to climb out from behind their desks, and offer quality booth outreach at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival . Invited back by our good friends at Planet Bluegrass, we had the opportunity to conduct our 5th annual How Green Is Your…
In another busy weekend the inflatable obstacle course was not the only obstacle Wayne learnt about at the Gilwell Fundays
Wow, Two years ago I launched this little site I like to call my blog and man has the time flown by. I haven't posted as often this past year as I would have liked to but rest assured, I have had a very busy scouting life.
Take care of all the small things, and the big things never show up." From Sippican Cottage Print as PDF file
Going through Philmont withdrawal? I feel your pain. Fortunately, there's a way for both of us to get our Philmont fix each week. I'm talking about PhilCast , Philmont Scout Ranch's new weekly videocast. Each episode highlights a different aspect of the massive high-adventure base and training center.
Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement, had a lot to say about the program. A good source of his thoughts can be found in his book, "Scouting For Boys". Now that we are in the summer camp season, there is one of B-P's thoughts that I thought would be a good choice…
Now before I even get started on this.. let me tell you that as much as I like patches.. this is NOT about a little patch. This is about measuring success. In the world that I live in, working for the Big Brown, I am totally in tuned to everything being measured.
New Minute for All scouts
E 2 Xtreme Challenge Racing is a new program for Boy Scouts. Rather than gravity, the cars are powered by CO2 canisters for high-octane speed. It's kind of a Pinewood Derby for big boys. The BSA needs 100 scouts to sign up and design cars to help promote this new racing program.
Bar Harbor, Maine- Earlier this week Team East enjoyed the abundance of sunshine and spectacular views offered from atop the coastal mountains of Maine on Mount Desert Island. During the visit we had the opportunity to connect with staff from Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park to facilitate a two-day trainer course to instruct…
Pull out the trusty beach chair, adjust the sun-brella, pour your favorite beverage over ice, and dive into our Summer Reading Series! Our first book tells the long overdue story of America's best trained Scout leaders "…every Scout and every leader in the Boy Scouts of America today has been influenced by someone who has…
