Scouts and Venturers attending the 2013 National Scout Jamboree from the South Texas Council may want to brush up on their "I spy" and alphabet-spotting skills. And for good reason, too: The 1,750-mile journey from Corpus Christi, Texas, to the Summit Bechtel Reserve will be made by charter bus.
What is the official policy regarding patch trading?
Where can I find a definitive set of rules regarding patch trading? Are the rules different for the Order of the Arrow versus non-OA patches? In other words, can adults at a cub scout event trade activity patches with youth?
Saguaro! What's the only thing better than one Traveling Trainer team? Two Traveling Trainer teams! This past week we met up with Mark & Tara from Team West for a few days and an event together in Tucson. With our powers combined, we capitalized on our time in the desert amid the beautiful cacti of the…
Bob's Blog: Alaskan Adventures and Detroit Muslim Outreach
A Detroit Success Story-Bringing New Cultures Into the BSA I have a personal commitment to expand Scouting to every faith group we can, so imagine my pleasure in participating in the launch of a new Muslim Scouting outreach program in Detroit's Great Lakes Council .
Podcast 109 – Interview with Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca
IN THIS PODCAST Bob Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive, joins us to talk about the 100th Anniversary of the Eagle Scout Award. LINKS IN THIS PODCAST National Eagle Scout Association 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…
Have Scouts, Parents, Leaders Offer Their Opinions
To provide the best youth program, the Research & Program Innovation Department surveys our membership from time to time to learn their opinions on various Scouting issues. Please encourage your youth members (over 14 years old), volunteers, and Cub Scout parents to join our research panel by including the suggested blurb and link below on official…
Can Packs, Troops, Teams, or Crews Participate in Political Rallies?
The Boy Scouts of America might be the most patriotic organization in the U.S. But don't take that to mean we endorse any one political party. The same applies to packs, troops, teams, and crews. Scouts and volunteers should do their duty to country, but not by endorsing any one candidate.
The 2012 Chief Scout Executive's Pathfinder Award is creating energy and excitement in councils across the country. Join in on the energy and recognize that your council's Cub Scout market share is a key membership driver! And the best way to increase your market share is to organize new Cub Scout packs.
The Cub Scout April theme is Faith. I hear that the new supplemental April pack meeting theme will be Cub Scouts Give Thanks. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
In this show I have a lengthy chat with a fellow Scoutmaster and great Friend Bob Pierce. Join us as we talk a little bit about everything. Jamboree, Dutch oven cooking, Troop Guides, JLT, Anuual planning, Parents and Philmont just to cover some of the bases.
In this show I have a lengthy chat with a fellow Scoutmaster and great Friend Bob Pierce. Join us as we talk a little bit about everything. Jamboree, Dutch oven cooking, Troop Guides, JLT, Anuual planning, Parents and Philmont just to cover some of the bases.
Ocala, FL . This weekend we had a blast at the Fat Tire Mountain Bike Festival in Ocala, FL. This weekend long festival, hosted by the Ocala Mountain Bike Association , is in its sixth year. The festival provides an opportunity for riders from all over the southeast to get together and enjoy the beautiful trails near…
Rule No. 64: • The length and complexity of PowerPoint presentations are most often in inverse proportion to their value. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, I just read your column about the unit with adults "allowed" able to carry sheath knives and pepper spray without the Scouts being able to do either.
Flying Plan Updated to Allow Flights in Tethered Balloons
The BSA unauthorized activities were recently updated along with the flying plan to allow Scouts to experience flight in a tethered balloon. The flying plan can be found on the forms page of Scouting Safely, and links are included to the PDF of the flight plan and the FAQ for tethering.
What certifications are required for a pack, troop or crew to have an aquatic event?
Click to open March 15 issue The March 15 issue of the Finance Impact e-Letter has been published and is available on the Finance Impact website. As we approach the end of the first quarter of the fiscal year, most councils are diligent in their fund-raising efforts to ensure the Scouting program will be available…
Walk the line? After review, the BSA gives slacklining a (qualified) OK
Find two trees, grab some friends, and work on your balance: Slacklining is now an approved Scouting activity - with qualifications. After a thorough review, the BSA's Health and Safety team officially OK'd the extreme sport this week for all Scout units, districts, and councils.
Before we dive into long term and summer camp types we need to review the concept of the weekend outing. Weekend outings have always been a essential part of the Scouting since its creation in the United Kingdom. While there are many many many options for what you can do on weekend campouts, Troops all…
Walk the line? After review, the BSA gives slacklining a (qualified) OK « Bryan on Scouting Heres one of the newest activities that has been approved for Scouts to do in the Troop, District, or Council settings and well this activity is known as slacklining which was recently done during the Super Bowl by a Eagle…
'Learning For Life and Exploring Today': New Marketing Materials Created
Click to open March issue The March issue of Learning for Life and Exploring Today has been published and is available online. Are you looking for the "wow factor" when making presentations or sales calls to a school district or community organization?
The key delivery system for all feedback received in the Voice of the Scout program will come to participating councils via the VOS Dashboard. Get a firm handle on how this dashboard will function this week: Morning and afternoon webinars are scheduled for March 13–15 at 10:30 a.m.
Faith is an important part of Scouting programs and religious emblems programs for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers reinforce what is stressed in the 12th point of the Scout Law A Scout is reverent. He is reverent toward God.
When Troop 108 in the Revolutionary Trails Council decided to plan a trip to the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base , they knew they needed to raise some dough. So, what comes to your mind when you think of fundraising?
In ancient Greece (469 – 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, I need to tell you what I just heard about one of your students!"
Our most recent survey sought to rack how we are answering questions, finding information and improving our skills as Scout leaders. Some of these resources are online, some are offline but Scouters responding to this survey are much more dependent on online resources – no big surprise there!
In this episode, I talk about the history of what we used to say and now what we mean when we say "All Markets Strategy." Please use the comments feature below the video window to let me know what you are doing to address an all markets strategy.
Loyalty is a feature in a boy's character that inspires boundless hope." -Sir Robert Baden-Powell Last week, we introduced what it means to be trustworthy – the first point of the Scout Law. This week, we focus our attention on what it means to be loyal.
What's the best approach to teaching First Aid skills?
I know that the approach will incorporate the EDGE method of training, but what creative/innovative ways do you teach first aid that keeps the youth involved and interested? I've done "simulated disasters" on a small scale before but found that the Scouts didn't really take it seriously. Is there a trick to that approach?
So you've been hearing all about the Summit, but do you know where it is? We'll give you a hint! It has a mean altitude of 1,500 feet, giving it the highest average altitude east of the Mississippi. The capital city is Charleston.
The 2012 Boys' Life mini-mag will ship to councils around April 23, 2012. Quantities will be approximately the same as last year. There is no cost to councils for mini-mags or shipping. The Boys' Life mini-mag is a promotion tool to help unit-serving executives and volunteers increase Boys' Life subscriptions and readership.
At the Learning for Life Executive Board meeting in February, the board voted to increase the Exploring registration fee from $10 to $15 effective July 1. This increase will allow the continued development of new marketing materials and programs, such as the online career interest survey, new brochures, sales folders, website development, online training, and…
Maybe. But here's the debate: Should you allow your Scouts to bring their smartphones on camping trips? Sure, Scouters and Scouts can do it all with these powerful gadgets. A smartphone (or tablet) is a watch, an alarm clock, a digital compass, a camera, a GPS navigator, a Boy Scout Handbook , a constellation map, an…
Cub Scouts who are interested in table tennis can earn the Table Tennis belt loop from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program. If you don't have your own table, check your local community center. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
Don't know when I'll be back again, but I'm hoping it's by May 1st. They say every journey begins with a single step, but this one begins with a couple long plane rides. I fly to Tucson via Dallas today to start my 800-mile Arizona Trail hike.
The survey asked about two distinct types of information -information related to policy and procedure and information dealing with program plans and ideas. Policy and Procedure The majority of respondents cite Scouting.org (the official Boy Scouts of America website) as their go-to source to learn more about policy and procedure.
The Northeast Georgia Council held the 13th Annual Boy Scout Invitational Golf Tournament on April 22, 1996, at the Chattahoochee Golf Club in Gainesville, GA. The event featured a $2,500 putting contest and gift certificates and prizes for three flights of teams-provided by Ethan Allen and Belk's.
Tarpon Springs, FL . Take a look at this video, shot at an elementary school in Florida earlier this week. Kate leads a lesson on leave no trace using the PEAK Program. PEAK- Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids- is an interactive, engaging program designed to educate youth about responsible recreation and land stewardship.
WATCH: 'The Voice' star Pip, at age 10, sings the national anthem for his Boy Scout troop
Long before he turned judges' chairs on The Voice , Eagle Scout Phillip Arnold turned heads on a much smaller stage. Phillip, who goes by the stage name Pip, sharpened his singing skills at Boy Scout courts of honor as a member of Marietta, Ga., Troop 287.
I've had trouble in the past convincing fellow adult leaders to embrace the Den Chief program. Adult leaders in the Troop don't always see value in recruiting or supporting Den Chiefs and the adult leaders in the Pack either don't understand why the Den Chief is there or don't know how to work with that…
Two councils in Michigan and Wisconsin have voted to merge together. The Hiawathaland Council in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the Bay-Lakes Council in Wisconsin. There will not be a new council created, instead they will keep the Bay-Lakes Council moniker.
Kingman Wash, Arizona: The Southwest weather is well into the swing of Spring. So are the animals. The sixth Leave No Trace Principle, 'Respect Wildlife', encourages us to avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter. With habitat loss at an all time high, interactions with wildlife are becoming increasingly frequent.
Who's behind the wheel of the BSA IndyCar in 2012?
James Jakes There's a new man wearing red, white, and blue this season. It's 24-year-old James Jakes, a former Scout from England, who takes the helm of the BSA Motorsports and Dale Coyne Racing No. 19 car for the 2012 IndyCar season.
file:///SDCard/BlackBerry/pictures/IMG00043-20120316-2017.jpg.rem Arrived at Camp Parsons for a weekend service project with the Troop. 6 scouts and 3 adults in all. Quickly setup the stove and warmed up some stew. All the scouts are now settled in for the night. Eager to see what tomorrow brings as we’ve been itching to get out camping for a…
Plane ride to Tucson was fine. Dallas was all green flying in, but Tucson has roofs the color of sand and sand the color roofs. But, the 85 degrees sure feels nice! I got a great tour of Tucson, including the university and Arizona Children's Association where my friend works.
Tonight, we held our OA elections…the first one for our troop. It's a huge step for us, but it seems that all steps for our troop are huge. We are building a legacy, one that I hope will be there for years down the road.
Channel Islands National Park As the e-tour continues to head west, we leave the "sky islands" of Southern Arizona for the Channel Islands off the coast of California. This epic series of islands, designated a National Park in 1980, hosts a variety of endemic and fascinating species.
The International Badger's Club is a society for collectors of Scouting and Guiding badges. It has members around the world, and some very useful resources, including a catalogue of every uniform badge "equivalent to, or greater than, a UK district and National event badges from all over the world".
drawing by John Sweet from the Scout Annual, 1953 This weekend sees the annual Kontiki rafting competition taking place in the Western Cape . Gauteng Kontiki had been scheduled to take place this weekend too, but due to flooding of access routes at the new venue, it has been delayed until the end of May.
How can a Pack transition from a model where the Cubmaster does all of the work to one where the Pack Committee shares the load? [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
Have you heard of a Sea Scout? Well, just in case you haven't, Sea Scouts is part of Venturing. Its members focus on sailing, maritime skills, and of course, having fun. Cool, huh? A Little History Lesson for You Like Scouting itself, Sea Scouting began in England in 1911.
When asked what specific online resources they used when looking for information about program ideas. Respondents listed a range of specific websites: Ask Andy Questions and answers in an advice column format backpackinglight.com Great Backpacking information and gear reviews Baloos bugle Cub Scout program newsletter BoyScoutTrail.com General Scouting program ideas Bryan on Scouting .
What approach do you use for large-scale instruction in Scouting?
The perennial problem of merit badge "academies" is the notion of having 30+ youth in a single room working on a merit badge like Citizenship in the Community with just one or two instructors. What strategies work in this kind of situation?
Ready to take your pack, troop, team, or crew to new heights? Schedule a ride in a tethered hot-air balloon. The activity, which previously wasn't approved, was officially OK'd this week by the BSA's Health and Safety team. Notice I said tethered hot-air ballooning - not the kind where you ride for miles like the Wizard…
Photo Friday Photo Fridays are brought to you by Brandon Queen Photography . Shutter Speed Overview: Last week we talked about the different terms needed to understand your camera. I want to focus on shutter speed this week. Lets take a look at what shutter speed can do for you in your photos.
Bare with me as I rant on humanity. I have been around the world and seen a lot of things… some good, some bad. Today I had a day which caused me to ask What the hell is wrong with people?
Dan from ScoutApps.net would like to announce an update for the Campfire Songs Scout app on the iOS. Dan's also the creator of Helleniechsin featured here last month. New in Version 1.3 20 new songs (some submitted by Megan and by Ginger Mikulich-Lapsansky) bringing the total up to 170 songs!
Because of the fact that this topic has gotten so far off the original topic of the conversation/post I was typing about I have decided to discontinue the series due to the above reason and because in order to continue with this series of dedication to Scouting i would have to start from the beginning.
(c) South African Scout Association The South African Scout Association Twitter and Facebook accounts are posting live photos from Western Cape Kontiki at the moment - follow them to see what's happening, including this Nyan Cat raft built by the oldest troop in South Africa, First Claremont .
BSA provides den meeting plans for den leaders. This Bear Den meeting plan focuses on Bear Achievement 9 - What's Cooking? [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
New York, N.Y. - According to a new Girl Scout Research Institute report, Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study , women who were Girl Scouts as children display significantly more positive life outcomes than non-Girl Scout alumnae. Approximately one in every two adult women (49%) in the U.S.
First Class is the third rank a Boy Scout can earn. He earns it after Second Class The requirements for First Class continue to teach the youth to the skills he needs to advance in Boy Scouting. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
News, information and comment from scouting around the WWW SCOUTMASTERCG.COM Podcast 109 – Interview with Chief scout Executive Bob Mazzuca What Resources Do You Use – Survey Report Part 1 What Resources Do You Use – Survey Report Part 2 What Resources Do You Use – Survey Report Part 3 SCOUTING BLOGS Ropes and Poles - Kontiki 2012 is underway!
All of the following items and information come directly from the BSA Aquatics Supervision Manual, Safe Swim Defense materials, Safety Afloat Materials, the BSA Scout Handbook, and finally the BSA Fieldbook. Now that I've covered a introduction and a good teaching tool to use with your Scouts to assist them in remembering all 8 points…
Climbers in Joshua Tree On Saturday mornings in one of the premier climbing spots in the country, Park Ranger and legendary character Bernadette hosts Climbers' Coffee at Joshua Tree National Park . The e-tour had the chance to stop by this event this week and chat with avid rock climbers who had flocked to this climbing…
Following the great theme of great Scout Apps hitting the market lately, another is rolling out. Trail to Eagle is a Boy Scout reference for your smartphone available on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 7. With the Trail to Eagle a Scout can quickly look up the Scout Oath or Promise, Scout Law, Scout Motto…
Trail To Eagle - Android Apps on Google Play Check it out awesome App 4 Scouts + its only 99 cents well yeah it costs something but thats still a great price 4 a mobile App. Its available on android windows phone & Apple iOS heres the android version Yours in Scouting Service Mark West Assistant Scoutmaster Troop…
Trail To Eagle Check it out awesome App 4 Scouts + its only 99 cents well yeah it costs something but thats still a great price 4 a mobile App. Its available on android windows phone & Apple iOS heres the windows phone version Yours in Scouting Service Mark West Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 1316, Troop 1616(aka 669)…
App Store - Trail To Eagle Check it out awesome App 4 Scouts + its only 99 cents well yeah it costs something but thats still a great price 4 a mobile App. Its available on android windows phone & Apple iOS heres the Apple App Store version
Amazon.com: Trail to Eagle: Appstore for Android Check it out awesome App 4 Scouts + its only 99 cents well yeah it costs something but thats still a great price 4 a mobile App. Its available on android windows phone & Apple iOS heres the android version available on amazon.com!!!!!!!
Mike wrote to me with this question about Cub Scout recruiting. Could a local mom-to-mom Cub Scout recruiting program get more families into Cub Scouting? [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
IN THIS PODCAST Scoutmaster panel discussion with guest Frank Maynard LINKS IN THIS PODCAST Bobwhite Blather Frank's Blog 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…
Like the Scouts of nearly every troop, our boys recite the Scout Oath and Scout Law at the beginning of troop meetings. How often do they – or you – stop to ponder what those words mean? They are the …
When I read the definition of what a ScoutParent is, I get excited about the program: > A ScoutParent is a parent or adult mentor of a Scout who enthusiastically participates with their Scout and also helps other volunteers to provide the best quality program experience to all youth in every unit.
Let me begin by saying I don't necessarily have anything against sports. But as an LDS Venturing advisor, I'm beginning to dislike them. At least the high school version. Over the next month and a half, there is exactly one of our regular Wednesday nights that will not be interrupted by a track meet.
Tequesta, FL. This past weekend marked a very special event for Team East. We set up our arsenal of Leave No Trace educational materials for the 500th time! The timing was just right for us because the event happened to fall on our favorite vessel to teach others about Leave No Trace, a trainer course.
I've been saving texts on my phone each day but t-mobile has no coverage around here so the texts are waiting. Oh well. So, here's a recap of the first three days. You can check out my progress map at AZT page since my Spot has been working pretty well.
CC by: Woodleywonderworks Each month, the Cub Scout program focuses on a core value. The Cub Scout April theme is Faith . BSA has started releasing theme based pack meeting plans for each of these core values. I hear that the new April theme will be Cub Scouts Give Thanks .
Rule No. 65: • Anyone who must tell you he always tells the truth, is lying. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, On merit badges, I can't find anything written by the BSA about how long a Scout has to complete a merit badge once he's started it.
Here’s what readers replied when asked to finish the sentence “I’d really like to see more resources about” Many answers reflected the never-ending search for new ideas: Troop program ideas Any new ideas for troops to do other than just camping Activities that other troops do.
Here's what readers replied when asked to finish the sentence "I'd really like to see more resources about" Many answers reflected the never-ending search for new ideas: Troop program ideas Any new ideas for troops to do other than just camping Activities that other troops do.
Use this demonstration for Webelos Scientist activity badge requirement 1: Read Bernoulli's principle. Show how it works.It could also be done in conjuction with the Science Belt Loop and Pin from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program. [ This is a content summary only.
Journey to Life on the Road: Seven Ways to Get Out of Work and Go Camping : Not copying the whole thing as all rights belong to the original author but I just couldn't resist not sharing this one. So check it & if ur brave enough maybe try one of these on your boss if he…
You wake up to the sound of your rain fly shaking and the voice of your patrol leader telling you to get up. Quickly, you get dressed and hop out of your tent. Soon your patrol members start cooking a delicious breakfast.
WATCH: Did Pip survive the battle round on 'The Voice'? (spoilers)
Finally, the wait is over! After more than a month since he last sang , Pip, the bow tie-wearing Eagle Scout who grew up singing at troop courts of honor, took the stage last night on NBC's The Voice . We're in the battle rounds, and the format is simple: Two singers share the stage for a…
At the district level, how do you recruit new Scouts?
One of our districts has an opening for membership chair and I've been considering offering to help. However, I'm a bit stuck for the method that's employed at the district level to recruit more Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers. What programs/methods work at the district level?
Where You Play, USA: How many times have you seen this? The obligatory dog waste bag left 'conveniently' for you to see and the proud puppy parent to forget. Most everyone we discuss this impact with agrees that it is unsightly, stinky, unsafe, and widespread.
Ok so in order to make this safe swim defense series make sense I decided to change a few minor things about the what the titles of the post are setup. First Off I change The first chunk of the title to have parts in order to ensure that people have the idea that these…
Ok so up to this point about the first principle which is Qualified supervision we covered a introduction to Qualified Supervision what it is and why its important to keep your awareness level high and also to continue further learning about what safe swim is all about.
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