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The Diamond Jubilee celebrations will take place this weekend and Scouts everywhere are getting into the party spirit.
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The Diamond Jubilee celebrations will take place this weekend and Scouts everywhere are getting into the party spirit.
Volunteers' Week (1-7 June) highlights the importance of volunteering to our communities. It's a fitting time for Scouting, which is the epitome of volunteering.
Volunteers' Week is an annual campaign that celebrates the contributions that millions of volunteers make across the UK.
The BSA has partnered with Exxon/Mobil to create a brand new award called the NOVA Award! This new initiative goes hand-in-hand with the new STEM initiative. What's STEM, you ask? The sooner you click the download button, the sooner Matt Myers, development specialist on the Youth Development Team at the national office in Irving, Texas…
Winston Churchill once said, "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." So with those words of wisdom, sit back, relax, and join us as we discuss teaching courage to 8-year-olds with the author of the BALOO manual, Cubcast favorite Dennis Kampa.
Rule No. 79: Ready, fire, aim isn't always the best way to tackle a problem. Dear Andy, I noticed in one of your recent issues that you were sending a fellow Scouter a "Reader's Digest" version of how a troop should operate.
Gauteng Scouts will be building a 12 meter high tower this weekend, which will be an attraction at the Gauteng Outdoor Eco Adventure & Travel Experience next weekend. Led by Terrence Vrugtman and Kent Jennings, this project has a website here .
Many people are familiar with the icons representing difficulty levels at a ski resort. You know, those little colored shapes that indicate how hard a particular slope is to descend? All the activities in the Adventure Areas at the 2013 National Jamboree will be much the same; each will be rated with the equivalents of…
Joseph Csatari's latest work of art was unveiled at this morning's Americanism Breakfast at the Boy Scouts of America's 2012 National Annual Meeting. The piece celebrates this year's 100th Anniversary of the Eagle Scout award, first presented to Arthur Eldred in August 1912.
BSA provides Webelos den meeting plans for Cub Scout den leaders on the Scouting.org website. The eleventh Webelos den meeting plan starts the Engineer Activity Badge. With ZM's den, this was a favorite activity badge. They loved making projects and trying them out.
Happy Friday, everyone! Bryan is in Orlando this week at the National Annual Meeting. ( Follow Scouting magazine on Twitter for his live updates! ) But just because he's away doesn't mean we can't have some fun-especially with Funny Moments photos that you've captured during your Scouting adventures.
Once again, everyone is singing Pip's praises. This morning, Phillip Arnold, whom you probably know from my posts about The Voice , performed an impressive rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." After that final note, the crowd at the Americanism Breakfast at the BSA's National Annual Meeting in Orlando roared its approval for the Eagle Scout from…
Who's going backpacking this summer? (Yep, I've got my hand raised, too!) After you've collected the essentials-like a great stove, sturdy boots, a lightweight tent-did you remember the most important item for a long-distance trek? … a comfortable backpack? We've got your back.
Mike Walton has been posting some of the highlights of the BSA National Meeting on the U.S. Scouting Service Project's Facebook page — http://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Scouting-Service-Project-USSSP/121653421246 . Good gouge there!
I am hoping you can help me to reach my goal of $2500 to go OVER THE EDGE on June 29th at the US BankCorp Tower for Scouting in the Cascade Pacific Council. I am $1235 away from going OVER THE EDGE. I need $2500 Currently I am half way to my goal. However, I
Well? It appears that I am the one that loves to stir up the hornet's nest on occasion. This week I posted on a subject that has received mixed feelings. Most agree with what I said, some did not. I can live with that.
The Isengard Tower (from Friday's post ) is well on it's way to completion, with the lowest two levels largely complete. All that remains to be completed tomorrow is the flag pole which will stretch to 18m in height. In addition to housing the Gauteng Scouts stand for the Eco Expo , three Rovers from Orion Rover…
For those of you new to Boy Scouting, please understand that it is not an advanced Webelos Program. Indeed, it is quite different. Unlike almost every other youth program, Boy Scouting is youth led and youth run. That's right, adults do not run a Boy Scout Troop.
For those of you who wanted a copy of the Readers Digest Version of How a Troop Should Operate, it is now online at http://netcommissioner.com/2012/06/how-a-scout-troop-works/ . If you want a print version click on the orange plus sign and select print at the top of the article.
Today's youth are spending more time than ever using digital media for education, research, socializing, and fun. To help families and volunteers keep youth safe while online, the Boy Scouts of America introduces the Cyber Chip . In developing this exciting new tool-which can be earned by youth after completing all of the age-appropriate requirements-the BSA…
Scouting magazine is giving away three backpacks in June. You can enter every day to boost your chances of winning. Enter Now The packs are: Deuter AIRCONTACT, Osprey Atmos, and Columbia SilverRidge Cobra Braid has contributed some survival bracelets for the monthly contests here on Boy Scout Trail.
Comparing the 10 Commandments to the Boy Scout Law is an interesting activity for any Boy Scout group. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
Although the official industry launch of the new Kayaking merit badge won't take place until the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market event Aug. 2–5 in Salt Lake City, the "earn date" for the badge has been moved up to June 13 to accommodate Scouts who are heading to summer camp.
T-minus 400 days until our Jamboree adventure begins! While there's nothing new to report with our east coast tour plans , you might be wondering: What else can a Scout look forward to beyond the other 10 reasons to be excited about this event?
Learn "what's next" in marketing Scouting to the communities you serve! From viral marketing techniques to advanced social media strategies, learn proven methods to positively impact recruitment, retention, and financial stability. Through a combination of industry experts and proven council best practices, you'll leave with an arsenal of new marketing ideas-new "next gen" ideas you…
You might need a calculator to estimate the fun factor adding up at the national jamboree. The adventure areas are multiplying Summit fun exponentially. But, don't worry, the only formula you need is to add yourself to the jamboree registration list.
Ah, summer. The weather has finally gotten nice all over the country. School is out or almost done for most, and our kids are looking forward to having a couple months off from the daily grind of classes, homework, projects, …
This is a question I've heard from several folks. The answer is "yes," but let me give you some background. It's really a matter of fairness. The commercial cost of a whitewater raft trip on the New River runs in the range of $70 to $110.
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Eagle Scout is the highest rank for Boy Scouts. But after a Boy Scout becomes an Eagle Scout he can continue to earn recognition for his achievements by earning Eagle Palms. I encourage all Eagle Scouts to stay active with their troops and continue to develop their leadership skills.
IN THIS PODCAST What is a Scoutmaster? The way to the brain is through the hand. LINKS IN THIS PODCAST Shout Out! KEEP IN TOUCH Contact Clarke Green Call and leave a voice mail comment or
The patch comes in blue for Cub Scouts and green for Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts. Kids spend more than 7.5 hours a day using some kind of electronic device, according to a 2010 Kaiser Family Foundation study . In other words, if they're awake and not at school, they're probably online.
To better introduce you to the benefits of a health savings account (which is available through one of the two new medical plans being offered for 2013), the BSA is offering you the chance to win an Amazon Kindle for watching an online video about HSAs and taking a quiz.
Mike Rowe (@ mikeroweworks ) received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award & spoke at BSA Natl Annual Meeting on June 1, 2012. twitter.com/boyscouts/stat… — Boy Scouts – BSA (@boyscouts) June 1, 2012
Boy Scout Troop 68 has a problem. We are looking for someone to become the scoutmaster. Unfortunately, no one seems interested in the position at this time. Having a small troop does not seem to be helping matters. Being in a community that has not been interested in having their boys in the Scout program…
Tonight was our last Pack Meeting of 2011-2012. I will blog more about it later. We are here for the boys. I cannot do it without Volunteers like these fine folks. See you in the fall.
Click to open Spring 2012 issue The Spring 2012 issue of The Commissioner newsletter has been published and is available online. In this issue, you can read about the importance of new unit organization and retention, as well as the following stories: Simple, unified unit service efforts Recruitment and retention Training for commissioner service Entering…
Click to open June 1 issue The June 1 issue of the Finance Impact e-Letter has been published and is available online. In this issue, you can read about the councils that were awarded Major Gifts/Endowment Achievement awards. It also contains articles addressing the following topics: transmitting salary changes in IOI Pay, FOS campaign benchmarks…
Homemade neckerchief slides are a Scouting tradition. John A. (Cubmaster of Pack 528 in Cascade Pacific Council, NW Oregon/SW Washington) sent me this idea for a Cub Scout neckerchief slide which looks like a little Cub Scout handbook. Thanks John!
Every once in a while a Scout does something so stunningly foolish and reckless we stop and ask; "He's such an intelligent kid, why did he do something so stupid?" Emerging brain development research explains the
But that's a good thing. At least, it is for Scouts who love to mountain bike. The BSA has approved a mountain biking option for Cycling, a merit badge mainstay since 1911. So for the first time, Scouts who prefer fat tires instead of thin can earn the badge.
Local councils that have Scouts interested in getting some hands-on experience with amateur radio equipment can now apply for access to one of 10 complete amateur radio stations thanks to a sponsorship agreement between the BSA and Icom America. These stations, which will be available from this year through 2015, can be used to support…
Who are the best recruiters for BSA programs? Easy-the Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, and Venturers who are already members! That's why the National Venturing Youth Cabinet and the National Council's Marketing and Membership groups have teamed up to create a host of new recruitment tools designed to expose teens to the fun and excitement of Venturing.
Our final Pack Meeting was on June 4th. It was a complete blast. Member's of the 501st Cloud City Garrison helped with the final Flag Ceremony and Pack Promotion. We wanted to end the year with a big send-off and the 501st helped make it happen. As with tradition, we made sure each remaining award
Has your council jamboree committee answered the call to appoint a jamboree ambassador? If not, we're asking you to stoke the fire about this position and get one selected. Why are we placing an emphasis on this? Why does it matter for your council?
The Search and Rescue merit badge will be announced this week at the 2012 National Search and Rescue Conference . The conference is hosted by the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) and the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Yesterday we looked at why otherwise intelligent Scouts sometimes make incredibly bad decisions. We understand that this has a lot to do with their developing brains. How do we help them? Asking adolescents to contemplate
The Boy Scout Roundtable Planning Guide suggests a Boating/Canoeing troop program feature for Boy Scouts for June 2012. BSA provides the troop program features as a resource for Boy Scout troops. A PLC can use these guides to plan a series of meetings and outings around a single theme.
The rabbit comes out of the hole.. goes around the tree.. and back into the hole.. now pull… It's a bowline. Its that simple. That simple to teach, that simple to do. And it's a knot that every Scout must know.
Don't panic! The Scout Law isn't changing. Why mess with something that's been guiding Boy Scouts in this country since 1911? The BSA's version - one of several variations from around the world - is a slight tweak from the 10 original points Baden-Powell published in his Scouting for Boys in 1908.
I'm sure anyone reading this post has heard the term "super-scouter." It may have even been applied to you. I think there are some who are starting to apply it to me and I'm not sure I like it. The term almost always comes across with a slightly negative connotation.
New Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
New Content for
We need your help to make the story of Scouting go viral. Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca outlines a new initiative to engage Scouts and volunteers in sharing the excitement and adventure of Scouting with their peers through visual storytelling on the Web. Watch the video to learn more.
The BSA announced the new Search and Rescue merit badge today at a casino in Nevada. Why there? The 2012 National Search and Rescue Conference is going on there today, so it makes sense. The requirements aren't public yet, but should be available soon.
The Council Operations Breakfast Club meeting on June 6 was titled "Passing the Baton," a fitting description as Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca and Chief Scout Executive-Elect Wayne Brock were interviewed. If you missed this opportunity to listen to our two top professional leaders discuss some of the challenges we face today, the opportunities ahead…
This past weekend, I attended my ordeal for membership into the Order of the Arrow (more to come on that later). Once the silence portion was completed, all of the new Ordeal members started yakking it up and chatting with anyone, as if they had just come out of a coma.
The first two parts of this discussion deal with why Scouts make poor decisions and how we can help them decide well. How do we react to bad decisions? If we understand the way our Scout's brains are
The Insect Study merit badge makes a good elective for Boy Scouts who enjoy watching butterflies and observing tiny creatures on the ground. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
As I was saying, he doesn't know where to turn. I asked him, "You should know where to turn…you have a Scoutmaster, you are TLT trained…you are also on staff for NYLT, so that means that you have been through it already.
This morning, the Boy Scouts of America responded to media reports about its membership policy. Follow the jump for the full text of the news release: Contrary to media reports, the Boy Scouts of America has no plans to change its membership policy.
A week ago at our combined Troop/Team/Crew court of honor, I shared a thought that went something like this: We have just handed out several Scout awards tonight, and I'd like to tell you a little about them. I'll use my own awards as an illustration.
When it comes to life-changing experiences, there's no substitute for camping. And when it comes to the Eagle-required Camping merit badge, there's no substitute for Requirement 9a. It reads as follows: 9. Show experience in camping by doing the following: a.
Last night, I witnessed a major milestone in the lives of two of my young men. These two young men (twins) have been with me almost as long as I have been in Venturing. They were teachers when I moved into the ward and joined my Venturing crew just after I attended Wood Badge and…
LDS Scouters, Have you paged through this month's Ensign yet? Did you see the article about Capturing the Vision of Scouting by David Beck, Young Men General President? He makes some great points about the importance of our stewardship. He councils us to get properly trained, do hard things, be someone the boys can trust…
The term 'whale' in a business context often refers to a big deal or transaction that significantly changes the game. Wayne ponders what this 'whale' might be in a Scouting context.
The nominations for the 2012 Scout Birthday Badges have been released.
View International Scout Rafting Map in a larger map Gauteng Kontiki is just one of many rafting events that Scouts hold around the world. This map attempts to summarise them. I've added the ones I'm aware of - please click through and add any more you know about.
Portland has the oldest Children's Parade in the USA. It's 76 years old and going strong. Pack 221 has been the Color Guard for 21 of those years. Our tradition was started by a Den Mother who got the entire Pack out with Floats to it for several years. We got the Lead because one
To call the 2013 National Jamboree a "transformative experience" is (A) putting it lightly and (B) sounds way too hokey to describe the biggest, coolest gathering you could attend in all of Scouting. But, the national jamboree IS definitely a "rite of passage" that all Scouts should experience as they go from Tenderfoot to the…
Big congratulations and my thanks to this year's Silver Buffalo Award honorees. At last week's National Annual Meeting, 11 volunteers (nine are pictured above) earned Scouting's highest honor for adults . In doing so, they joined a prestigious list that includes Walt Disney, James E.
Two new videos from canoeist Kevin Callan going backpacking.
What did you do last month here is what I did
OK, so I have my mental checklist gone through in my head, and I am trying to formulate something prophetic that I can tell the scouts to ensure them that they are getting the best that they can, and that their program isn't dying.
BSA provides den meeting plans for den leader on the Scouting.org website. These plans are full of Bear den meeting ideas. Today's article covers the tenth Bear Cub Scout den meeting plan. This plan focuses on Bear Achievement 13 – Saving Well, Spending Well and Bear Achievement 15 – Games,...
You have already seen your own council's Voice of the Scout findings … attend this exciting webinar to learn more about the results on the national level. Two sessions are available: June 12 : 9–10 a.m. CDT June 14 : 3–4 p.m. CDT To register online, visit: webinar.kintera.org/2012SpringVOSFindings
To be honest, this week's Photo Friday topic - Great Moments at Summer Camp - is a little redundant. After all, it's hard to find any moment at summer camp that isn't great. I speak from experience. I attended Camp Cherokee (now called Trevor Rees-Jones Scout Camp ) with my troop six years in a row when I…
Tornadoes are destructive storms are caused by a vortex. You can use the classic "tornado in a bottle" demonstration to explain how a vortex forms. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
Plant a garden based on a pizza theme so you can make pizzas with fresh herbs, tomatoes, and your other favorite ingredients. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
As we finished talking, I think that the wheels really began to turn. I didn't know what Joe was thinking, but I am thinking it was along the lines of "this is my troop, and I have to make is succeed"… And then, as fast as that came into my head, that much faster, it…
Every Scout village and campsite will need a contingent of staff to keep things running-after all, the Summit will become the second-largest "city" in the state of West Virginia during the 2013 jamboree! If you're considering registering to be on staff at the jamboree, consider these 14 opportunities to help give Scouts the experience of…
On a 50 miler, getting into camp every afternoon means a brief sense of accomplishment which is followed by a flurry of activity. Backpacks have to be emptied of group equipment. Water has to be filtered. Bear bag trees need to be located.
________________________________________ Rule No. 80: • Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, One of our Scouts is under a time crunch to earn his Eagle. He made First Class on January 30th and will turn 17 in June. The active and leadership requirements for Star are both four months, so I called for a…
In the stake bucket, on the trailer." What's wrong with this transaction? Here's a clue. A Scout, most likely a new recruit, setting up his tent with his bunk partner, asks an adult where the tent stakes are. Because a …
By completing this requirement, a Venturer is not only prepared to deal with emergencies which he or she encounters, but has also passed this knowledge on to others. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
Well if the BSA IndyCar had to lose on Saturday night, at least it was like this. James Jakes and the Boy Scouts of America No. 19 car finished 10th at the Firestone 550 in Texas, but Jakes' teammate, Justin Wilson, won the whole thing .
IN THIS PODCAST Scoutmaster Panel Discussion – Parent Issues LINKS IN THIS PODCAST Shout Out! KEEP IN TOUCH Contact Clarke Green Call and leave a voice mail comment or question at (484) 734-0002 Subscribe to the
Since I returned from my AZT hike, I've presented Red Cross CPR/AED and Wilderness First Aid training four times to over 50 people and will be doing it the next two weekends as well. Last week, I presented to the high adventure staff of a local BSA camp.
Expect More
I saw this video about gangs today. Very thought provoking – take a look.
A film about youth culture asking the question 'What do you expect?' has received over 4,000 hits on YouTube.
I only need $895 to get me to the $2500 Goal so I can go over the edge for Cascade Pacific. Deadline is this Friday @ 5pm PST!
The core value for the month of May is Perseverance. BSA has just released a Cub Scout pack meeting plan called Head West Young Man related to this core value. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]
Check out Peter Le Roux's pioneering blog Ropes and Poles - Kontiki 2012 an amazing Scouting event centered on pioneered rafts – really incredible. Isengard Tower 60 feet of pioneering awesomeness Peter joined me to talk
This week is Big ShelterBox Week. ShelterBox is the premier international aid organization that provides emergency shelter and life-saving equipment following disasters such as earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami or conflict. ShelterBox is entirely funded by donations and the work we do would not be possible without the many thousands of donors who so
Amateur radio: Fun but not free. That makes the recent sponsorship agreement between the Boy Scouts of America and Icom America, a world leader in the amateur radio market, such big news. The deal makes Icom the exclusive amateur radio transceiver and repeater supplier for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree .
After the preview and the construction photos , here are some of my pics of the completed Isengard tower and a press release from Gauteng Scouts : SCOUTS showcase their skills at Gauteng Outdoor Eco Adventure and Travel Expo From the 8th to the 10th of June SCOUTS South Africa will be showcasing a 19m high tower…
So, with my mind racing, I put some words together…words that I hoped wouldn't offend or get back to anyone and taken the wrong way. *Disclaimer* – In no way, shape or form or at any time, was my intention to steal any of these scouts.
Building on the theme of development, Wayne joined the conference of the DGB project teams and also celebrated 80 years of Gang Shows at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Monday was the graduation of Rachel's Girl Scouts Troop from Daisy to Brownies. I am very proud of her. She really likes Girl Scouts and has a lot of fun. All her friends are in it. Her Troop Leader is from the UK and was a Girl Guide growing up. Her son is a brand