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Every year, our troops usually pick up some new members as they cross over from Cub Scouting and set out on new adventures with us. At the same time, their parents, weary from several years of running everything from pack …
Right now, you are having the time of your life as a Scout, and you are making memories that are going to last a lifetime. But what happens when you age out? No need to worry, because the Scouting Alumni Association is available to make sure your Scout days live on!
New Minute for Boy Scouts
Rule No. 52: • Conscience is what you do when nobody's looking. Rule No. 53: • The Scouting units that actually thank their commissioner are often the ones for whom he's done the least. ________________________________________ "SUPER 8" Every now and again a movie comes along that fits closely with one or more of the values or fundamentals of…
More details are on the way, but here's the latest: the Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout? series that has been in the works is scheduled to debut on the National Geographic Channel this coming fall. The series from Original Productions ( Deadliest Catch , Ice Road Truckers ) will feature teams of adults from different backgrounds…
IN THIS PODCAST Scoutmaster Panel Discussion - Scoutmaster Conferences Journey to Excellence Listener Question – Getting things done without overstepping youth Leadership LINKS IN THIS PODCAST Advancement Resources Page KEEP IN TOUCH Contact Clarke Green Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Listen on your mobile…
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Click to open the Jan. 15 issue The Jan. 15 issue of the Finance Impact e-Letter has been published and is available on the Finance Impact website. The year 2011 was an exciting one, and 2012 promises to be even more exciting with the impending rollout of the new general ledger and fundraising software packages.
At our council camporee in December I walked around the entire camp and saw only two troops that had identifiable patrols. Most troops were set up as one unit, with all the tents lined up and no discernible internal division into patrols.
Scouting's One Essential Feature - Scoutmastercg.com At our council camporee in December I walked around the entire camp and saw only two troops that had identifiable patrols. Most troops were set up as one unit, with all the tents lined up and no discernible internal division into patrols.
This is a ceremony from an old roundtable handout. It would fit with the Abracadabra program theme for Cub Scouts or for Cub Scouts working on the Good Manners Belt Loop and Pin. Use it as a closing ceremony. [ This is a content summary only.
Our Venturing crew did a snowshoeing trip this weekend. It was great. In fact, I think it more closely fit the ideal for a Venturing activity than any other activity we have done. At least in regards to the planning and implementation process.
My sons got me these Outdoor Products trek poles for Christmas and today I tried them out for the first time. I was a little clumsy. I hit my foot with the pole a few times. I kicked the pole with my foot a few times.
With Voice of the Scout surveys scheduled to launch in March, February presents a prime opportunity to promote participation in VOS. The Blue and Gold Banquet, court of honor fliers, and other promotional materials are now available to help councils develop campaigns aimed at increasing response rates and positively affecting Journey to Excellence scorecards.
OK… this may seem like a rant.. and it probably will be.. so if you want.. stop reading right now. I could really care less what you all think about my opinion on this one. The other night I attended my oldest son's wrestling match at the High School.
You may have heard people talking/blogging/twittering about SOPA - the Stop Online Piracy Act.
Phew! Last night I managed to visit the Troop, complete an Incident Report Form (not a quick thing to do), complete our annual census (our numbers are up – yey!) and reply to an enquiry from a prospective new Cub's mum!
For the second year, Council Operations will be hosting an All Markets Strategy Summit for council staff and key volunteers who are interested in learning how to analyze, prepare, and execute a plan to work with all markets, including Hispanic, African American, and Asian American.
A magic trick will add some fun to your meeting. For this simple trick you will need an accomplice who is capable of not telling everyone he is helping you. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
Where can you go to see one of the most significant and well-known battlefields of the Civil War in person? Gettysburg, of course. Gettysburg was an unexpected battle that became the decisive victory for the North, giving them the advantage that helped them win the war.
Words of Wisdom Wednesday The Words of Wisdom Wednesday series is composed of anecdotal segments to inspire and supplement a Scout's personal development, building core values and moral character. An anecdote on WWW is similar to a "Scoutmaster's Minute". These anecdotes are intended to be shared with your units.
Meet extraordinary member-activists who have impacted their communities with Leave No Trace. The Center has so much love to spread around that we are honoring 11 people for their 2011 contributions! Rob Stevens : Rob Stevens worked diligently to bring Leave No Trace awareness and education to Central Arkansas.
Every month in the Center's eNews, we pose a difficult Leave No Trace ethical and skills based situations for readers to comment on. Below is December's situation and a few of your responses. What would you do? As you approach your favorite wildlife viewing spot along a pristine alpine lake, a group of four has…
All emblems must contain a Boy Scouts of America corporate identifier: either, "BSA" without any periods, "Boy Scouts of America" or the BSA fleur-de-lis…" -From the Boy Scouts of America guidelines for Custom Patches and Emblems A common technique Stadri uses to gain compliance with the BSA's standards is a stitching method called ghost stitching.
In 2012, special emphasis will be placed upon building the foundation that makes councils move from "good to great." In the spirit of how Journey to Excellence was developed-using empirical evidence in the search of leading and lagging indicators-the 2012 CSE Pathfinder's Award has been developed from the latest research on council performance.
Incase you were asleep all day yesterday toy may have missed that a number of websites were "backed out" in protest of SOPA/PIP if your not sure what I am talking
I always enjoy seeing kids faces light up when they realize how fun hands on science can be. Letting them explore the way the world works and try to understand why something happens is always exciting. If you want to spark an interest in science in your Cub Scouts, have them look at the Science...
Picture Thursday and it a Post-it Note Art doodle
I had a few concerns over 911 calls being made by Scouts. I spoke with Eric Parry, a Emergency Response Specialist with MIsson Critical Partners : We travel and camp in some reasonably remote areas. How can we know if there is 911 coverage?
In honor of the 90th anniversary of Sea Scouts in 2002, BoatUS , the nation's largest recreational boating organization, instituted the annual Sea Scout National Flagship Award . Since then, the award has been presented to ships from Texas, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, California, and Oregon.
Here's a Pinewood Derby car so cool you can almost taste it. It belongs to 10-year-old Madisson Garcia, who entered her "Bottle of Coca-Cola" car at Saturday's Pack 316 Pinewood Derby in Old Bridge, N.J. Madisson competed in the "sisters" division and finished sixth in the traditional downhill race.
What's the greatest story never told? Yours. Specifically, your trail to Eagle and the ways it changed your life - both during and after. Whether you earned Scouting's top honor six days or six decades ago, your tale is worth sharing.
In this episode, I talk about the history and results of the McKinsey and Company survey on National Council effectiveness. Your opinions are very important to us, so please use the comments feature below the video window.
Wayne reflects on the adult good service awards scheme, highlights some anomalies and ponders on innovative ideas to improve...
It has become a tradition of Boy Scout Troop 68. Usually, in February or March, the Scouts pack their gear and head to Camp Stearns for a winter outing. The camp is located in central Minnesota, about an hour from town.
Photo Friday We recognize that our audience has an interest in photography to capture special moments such as Courts of Honors, campouts, winter activities, family vacations, sport events, and other gatherings. "Photo Friday" is intended to help photography amateurs improve their photo shoots through photo tips, which may include basic skills, creative shooting techniques, and…
A bubbling bowl of potion will add fun to any magic themed meeting. If your Cub Scouts have never seen what happens when dry ice is placed in a bowl of punch, they will be amazed. Use this idea with the Abracadabra theme.
Located in northern Minnesota and in Canada, Northern Tier is your adventure headquarters of the north. And with some of the best canoe trips and winter camping, this is one place you need to see! The best part? You get to plan your own trip when you arrive on site!
Here's a question to chew on: Should you serve snacks at den meetings? Why or why not? And if you do, what is served? I posed that question to our Facebook friends and got an array of answers. Read a few of my favorites below, and then sound off with your own thoughts on the…
Any Boy Scouts doing the Inventing merit badge? How about Cub Scouts doing the Science, Computers, or Mathematics belt loops? Or maybe Webelos working on Engineer or Scientist activity badges? Any of these guys might be prime candidates to enter the BSA Innovation Challenge this spring.
The National Outdoor Awards program recognizes Scouts for some above-average participation in challenging outdoor activities. A combination of merit badges, rank, and activities qualify Scouts for hiking, aquatics, camping, adventure and riding awards. Has anyone out there applied for these awards on behalf of their Scouts or otehr wise participated in this relatively new award…
In a test of outdoors skills, who would win: Boy Scouts or adults who are out of Scouting? Though the answer seems obvious, it'll sure be fun to see those adults try. That's the promise behind the newest reality show, Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?
Know an Eagle Scout headed to college? Then read on: Tuesday, Jan. 31, is the deadline for Eagle Scouts who are high school seniors to apply for a 2012 National Eagle Scout Association scholarship . In all, 153 scholarships, each between $1,000 and $50,000, will be presented to worthy Eagle Scouts based on their Scouting record…
I posted a few ideas last year, but here are some more ideas for incorporating resourcefulness into your Cub Scout program. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
Rule No. 54: The more logical and simple the Scouting procedure or policy, the more it will be ignored. Dear Andy, I'm a pack Committee Chair struggling with the definition of an Arrow of Light Scout visiting "a troop meeting with his den."
Rule No. 54 from Andy at Ask Andy : The more logical and simple the Scouting procedure or policy, the more it will be ignored. This isn't simply a curmudgeonly observation – it's true. True things ought to inspire us to think for a minute or two (at least).
This song is from the old program helps and fits in well with the Abracadabra program theme . Add some actions (shown in italics) and ham it up to get the Cub Scouts involved. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
The merit badge program of the Boy Scouts of America is a wonderful way to introduce boys to new hobbies, sports, crafts, and even possible careers. The awards require a Boy Scout to meet new people in the community who are the merit badge counselors.
From the fortune cookies at dinner the other night: "Leaders are like eagles. They don't flock, you find them one at a time." "Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things."
Received this email from Fight for the Future at the weekend and it seem that the SOPA/PIPA Bill was pulled, Hi everyone! A big hurrah to you!!!!! We've won for...
If your Cub Scout comes home all excited from what he did in science class that day, have him look at the Science pin from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program. Many of these requirements would also be good as the basis for a science fair project.
The Scouting movement is unique among non-faith-based youth groups in that it recognizes and expects a belief and duty to a higher power of its members. It's part of rank achievements in Cub Scouts, one of the points of the …
Soon, thousands of Scouts will be coming to the New River Gorge to visit the Summit for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree . And while Scouts are going to be given the opportunity to explore the gorge through all kinds of adventure activities, whitewater rafting is sure to be one of the favorites.
IN THIS PODCAST One Essential Element LINKS IN THIS PODCAST Aids to Scoutmastership KEEP IN TOUCH Contact Clarke Green Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Listen on your mobile device with Stitcher Smart Radio Follow us on FACEBOOK – TWITTER Subscribe to blog posts…
Ooo $50 credit at iTunes, going to spend it Ok jabbering readers in the US this one...
Idiot! Retard! Geek! Has a Scout in your unit called another Scout one of these names-or worse? If so, did you take action? No Name-Calling Week begins today, so it's an excellent time to remind Scouts and Scouters that these "harmless" insults can do real damage to a boy or girl.
Along the Scouting trail, boys join and boys drop. Interests wax and wain. The perennial problem for units is maximizing retention and minimizing attrition so that scouts can benefit more from the program. In order to gain ground on the problem, we need to identify ways to make significant impact with minimal effort.
Ok.. it's finally here.. Show 100! Before you download or listen to the show.. you need to go to the Blog (thescoutmasterminute.net) and get your 3 D glasses. Print these glasses.. you will be needing them for the SMMPodcast SHOW 100!
Print these glasses.. you will be needing them for the SMMPodcast SHOW 100! IN 3D. Listen in as I am interviewed or at least have a great discussion with Scouting Friend and District Commissioner Gary. We talk about the 1st 99 shows and the future of the SMMPodcast, Journey to Excellence, and more.
For those of you that have followed the blog for any given time, you know that I am a fan of sports. I believe that sports do great things in the lives of youth and I also believe that there is room for sports, scouts, academics, and a normal life for our youth.
An invisible ink demonstration will add fun to any Cub Scout meeting. If they haven't seen this before, it will really get their attention. This would fit in with any science themed meeting or a communications themed meeting. [ This is a content summary only.
WordPress is a wonderful platform for blogging because it's so flexible. That flexibility sometimes causes trouble and I ran into some yesterday when I went to publish Podcast 102 . Until I got it fixed I could not update the blog properly.
The next big thing: Will one of your Scouts invent it? Encourage that future Ford, Fulton, or Bell to enter the Boy Scouts of America and Edison Nation Challenge, where creative thinkers could get help turning their ideas into products.
Continuing to work through his papers for an upcoming meeting, Wayne asks how we can improve awareness of what we do and also reflects on the benefit of getting others to help us recruit volunteers...
Scouting Thought of the day: Don't ever, ever, and never assume something about someone, the only thing you can guarantee from assumptions is that they will come back to haunt you in the end and it means that you will never know or have the ability to fully understand those that surround you.
Starting this year I will be recording the number of hours that I spend on activities, meetings, outings, camp outs, summer camp, scout projects, event preparation, meeting preparation, and finally any other Scout related task. I do not expect any problems with accurate tracking as I have now accurately tracked the first three weeks of…
Our Boy Scout troop is planning a campout in the spring based on the Cooking merit badge. I am a counselor for this badge, so I am working with the youth campmaster to help him plan the activities. [ This is a content summary only.
There was in an interesting article in one of the newspapers the other day by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. In it he said that the likes of the Occupy London movement and Fred Goodwin use their skills to become volunteers for the Scout and Guide movements.
Now that 2012 is here, we only have about 18 months until we meet in West Virginia for the first-ever national Scout jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve. If you have been reading my monthly blogs since October, you know that my name is Russell Smart and I am the volunteer team leader for all…
Adult leaders often say things like; "I don't override the boys decisions at all. " "I asked them what they wanted to do." "This was their decision." What most of us fail to recognize is that many of these ‘boy led' decisions were probably coerced, at least in part, by the presence of adults when they…
During Wood Badge, both as a participant and a staff member, I noticed that one of the more popular presentations was about the Stages of Team Development. This one really seemed to affect people I've just been going over the Introduction to LeadershipSkills for Crews course, preparing to teach it to my young men in…
Salt Lake City, UT. Last week Team East and Team West teamed up in Salt Lake City to take part in the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market at the Salt Palace Convention Center. This bi-annual show gathers the top companies and organizations in the outdoor industry to showcase the latest gear, trends, and innovations for the…
What were the hottest merit badges last year? I've got the answer. Maybe. So first, a caveat: The friendly folks at the Supply Division tell me there's no way to determine exact numbers of merit badges earned. That info is tracked by troops - not the National Council.
Words of Wisdom Wednesday The Words of Wisdom Wednesday series is composed of anecdotal segments to inspire and supplement a Scout's personal development, building core values and moral character. An anecdote on WWW is similar to a "Scoutmaster's Minute". These anecdotes are intended to be shared with your units.
The following is a Guest Article by Scouter Mom. Scouter Mom Blogs and writes informative articles on all aspects of Scouting at ScouterMom.com. You might have heard that BSA is once again providing theme based Pack meeting plans for Cub Scout leaders.
Looking for more information on the BSA's high-adventure bases? If so, we can help you out! Over the past few months, the Summit Blog has released infographics for all of the BSA's high-adventure bases, providing you with a number-by-number breakdown of the excitement awaiting you at each one.
This month I am featuring the Cultural Awareness Troop Program Feature for Boy Scouts. The meeting plan for week two suggests playing Sleeping Pirate as a opening activity while the Scouts are gathering. This works well for this purpose since it doesn't require much equipment and additional Scouts...
Scouting is outing but Scouting is not just an outing club or another activity. Scouting is aimed at “preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law”.
Scouting is outing but Scouting is not just an outing club or another activity. Scouting is aimed at "preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law".
Send your Scouts to NAYLE, the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience , and watch their leadership skills soar. Who's eligible? Boy Scouts or Venturers (male or female) who are at least 14 but not yet 21, hold a unit leadership position, and have completed National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) are eligible.
Queen Scout, Bryony Balen, is the youngest Briton to ski to the South Pole, tackling hostile conditions to reach her goal in the centenary year of Scott's expedition.
Queen's scout Bryony Balen is the youngest Briton to ski to the South Pole, tackling hostile conditions to reach her goal in the centenary year of Scott's expedition.
Scout Bryony Balen is the youngest Briton to ski to the South Pole, tackling hostile conditions to reach her goal in the centenary year of Scott's expedition.
The former Ouachita Area Council, No. 014, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, has merged with the Quapaw Area Council , No. 018, in Little Rock, Arkansas. The effective date of this merger, as recorded with the state of Arkansas, was Jan. 1, 2012.
So now that its after the first of the year and the end of January is right around the corner, many units have already begun or will shortly begin planning and organizing summer camp. Personally both of the units I am working with including Troop 669 from Soldotna, Alaska and Troop 1316 from Anchorage, Alaska…
hmm an exploding flower This was drawn and photographed yesterday I just did not have the time to post it Related articles Picture Thursday 19_01_12...
Gooey Butter Cake is a favorite type of coffee cake here in St. Louis. This version of the recipe is even easy enough for Cub Scouts to make. It is rich, so don't cut too big of a piece for yourself!
Scouting for Food , an annual service project rooted in the founding principles of Scouting, helps thousands of families in need. Initiated by the Greater St. Louis Area Council in 1985, the program now encompasses the entire nation. Each year, councils across the country gather goods from their communities for local food pantries to distribute to…
I heard somewhere that a Unit Commissioner read the new Guide to Advancement and said: 'Council and National expect us to set requirements for being active and if they eventually find them too strict OR too lax they will step in and start setting them.'
No shock that Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, is making headlines again. But what may surprise you is why: She just joined the global Scouting movement as a volunteer with the U.K. Scout Association . The "other" Scouting magazine, which serves 400,000 boys and girls involved with Scouting in the U.K., features Kate in a cover…
Meet Eddie. Eddie is an Eagle Scout-turned-etiquette guru. A perfect citizen living in an imperfect society, Eddie's mission is to make the world a better place by sharing his vast knowledge about manners and etiquette with employees. In our everyday world of emails, phone calls, and meetings, it's easy to forget the simple actions that…
Photo Friday We recognize that our audience has an interest in photography to capture special moments such as Courts of Honors, campouts, winter activities, family vacations, sport events, and other gatherings. "Photo Friday" is intended to help photography amateurs improve their photo shoots through photo tips, which may include basic skills, creative shooting techniques, and…
The Speakers Bank for BSA has been a great source of great dynamic speakers. They have provided a means to promote Scouting to community organizations. As of last month though, the Bank is closing to new members. The Speakers Bank will continue to supply speech templates and award Speakers Patches and Speakers Knot.
The new Scouting Alumni Association was launched in November 2011 and welcomes everyone who has been positively and personally affected by the Boy Scouts of America-former Scouts, family members of Scouts, volunteers past and present, and the millions of Americans who benefit from Scouting in their communities every day.
BSA provides den meeting plans for den leaders on the Scouting.org website. This plan covers Wolf Achievement 7 – Your Living World and Wolf Elective 17 – Tie It Right. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
Share your challenges, inquires and interests with the listeners to the Scoutmaster podcast. What would you like to hear discussed during this month's Scoutmaster panel? Would you like to be considered for inclusion in the call in session? Contact me here or call (484) 734-0002 and leave a message.
Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. I believe that from what I notice at summer camp every year. I encourage my sons to get exercise, but with the mind-bending, breath-taking, realistic virtual worlds contained in XBox and other gaming systems, it's no wonder so many guys would prefer that to…
Are you looking for ways to share your council's story and events with the entire organization? Look no further than the Scout Wire biweekly e-newsletter and The Buzz biweekly video news program. To assist you in your planning, the 2012 production schedules for both are available now: Scout Wire The Buzz Please contact [email protected] to…
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 17, 2012) The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) today announced that Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Chief Executive Officer Anna Maria Chávez will be honored with the 2012 Chairman's Award at "A Celebration of Women Entrepreneurship in America" during the USHCC Legislative Summit gala.
In the December issue of Scout Wire , we made the request for timely and accurate incident reporting using the Online Incident Reporting System. How can you accomplish that if you don't have the necessary information from unit leadership such as the who, what, where, when, why, and how an incident occurred?
