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Ah, the clove hitch. It’s a simple way to attach a rope to a pole, it’s side-to-side adjustable and is frequently used to start and finish a variety of lashings. Some folks don’t like it because in various applications, it’s not the most secure or reliable choice.
Fishing, sleeping under the stars, toasting marshmallows; camping can be so much fun if you do it right. Joining us is Jennifer Mooney, the camping director for the Cascade Pacific Council in Portland, Oregon. Jennifer has been working at Cub Worlds since she was in high school.
Philmont Training Center will be issuing a limited number of scholarships for the 2013 National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience program at Philmont. The scholarships are available through the Waite Phillips Foundation. Each of the four regions has been granted 10 $200 scholarships.
Knives. They may be the source of the most confusion within Scouting circles. I've heard people tell me sheath knives are banned in Scouting (they're not), that Scouts can only carry one knife (not true), or that blades can't be longer than five inches (wrong again).
Ever since the mid-1960s, the television game show Jeopardy! has been a must-see program for millions of viewers nationwide. Since the beginning, contestants from all walks of life competed for cash prizes, some walking away with hundreds of thousands of dollars. Two …
Just a few scriptural thoughts I've read/heard lately. I'll let you apply your own Scouting context to them: "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing , for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great."
Posted in Fitness Venturing Ranger Award Elective – Physical Fitness To complete the Venturing Ranger Award requirements for Physical Fitness, a Venturer must develop and carry out a physical fitness program. Then he or she must teach another group how to set up a physical fitness...
In this edition of the Scoutmaster podcast we introduce ‘The Colorado Experiment' with new Scoutmaster Arlen Ward, we'll be checking in with Arlen from time to time to see how his newly chartered troop is coming along. All this and your messages in the mailbag!
Baseball Humor : If you can't laugh on Opening Day, when can you laugh?
The BSA is excited to introduce new features that are now available in MyScouting Tools. They include: Key 3 Organization Administrators A new Organization Profile tool for displaying and managing information. It displays unit information that identifies chartered organizations and their representatives, and allows entry of unit social media contacts (Facebook and Twitter).
All good television shows must come to an end. And so it is with a heavy heart that tonight we waved goodbye to Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout? , the six-episode reality series that matched fresh-faced Eagle Scouts against 30- and 40-something adults looking to recapture their teenage glory.
The Health and Safety Support Committee has recently released or updated several resources to help your council and camp meet or exceed camp and regulatory standards. All of these can be found on the Scouting Safely Web page in the Guidelines/Policies/Model Plans section.
________________________________________ THIS JUST IN: SCOUTMASTERS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SENIOR PATROL LEADER POSITION-FOR LIFE! The BSA has just announced that Scoutmasters are eligible to appoint themselves Senior Patrol Leader, thus acknowledging the superior leadership that comes with age and experience. Concurrent with this acknowledgement, the Scoutmaster-as-Senior Patrol leader position can be held for life, instead of merely…
Posted in CharacterCitizenship Language and Culture Pin for Cub Scouts Cub Scouts who are interested in other parts of the world can earn their Language and Culture pin from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program. Maybe it will even interest them enough to find a Scout in another country to...
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With summertime Scouting excursions on the horizon, it's time to make sure each Scout or Venturer has the supplies he or she needs in case of an emergency in the outdoors. If your troop or crew is getting ready for the jamboree in July, you'll recall that each Scout (and adult) should carry a personal…
This email about one Webelos crossover to a troop needs little introduction or explanation, but one part bears repeating; Meetings don't cut it, selling the parents on how great a troop is doesn't cut it, your "reputation" of being a strong troop doesn't cut it.
Baloo's Bugle for the Core Value - Health & Fitness and the supplemental theme - Cub Cafe is on-line as of April 1 Enjoy your month - Comments always welcome! Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
Please note: If you experienced difficulty viewing this week's episode of The Buzz , we are embedding it below . Every episode of The Buzz also is available on the BSA Internal Communications YouTube channel . The ongoing debate about the BSA's membership standards presents some challenges when it comes to fundraising.
More Boy Scout patches for the collection. I served as the scoutmaster for one of the two troops that the Central Minnesota Council sent to the 2001 National Jamboree. That trip to Fort A.P. Hill was one of the highlights of my Scouting tenure.
I have listened to the answers of many Scouts as they explain to me during Scoutmaster Conferences the parts and meanings of the points of the Scout Law. I always asks the Scout to tell me which part of the Scout law is most important and what they struggle with daily.
When I was first learning my lashings, it always seemed that finishing them off gave me no end of trouble. It says in the book to secure with a Clove Hitch, but whenever I tried to tie a Clove Hitch the way the book described, it always ended up with too much slack and my…
The BSA is in our third year of a great relationship with Insurance Auto Auctions, a company that processes more than 1 million vehicle donations at more than 160 locations around the country; and our Scouting campaign continues to grow with more councils benefiting from this great service.
Click to view slideshow. For the last nine years every summer our Scouts pile into a van and drive north to Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park for a week-long high adventure canoe trip. Our crews typically cover 40-50 miles of paddling and portaging during our stay.
Posted in Science Launch! STEM Award for Venturers (Science) STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The Launch! NOVA award provides an age appropriate program to get young men and women interested in science. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth...
Unfortunately, it has come to this. The St. Cloud Air Show, an event being sponsored by the Central Minnesota Council, has been cancelled. Here is the official statement from the website: St. Cloud Air Show Cancelled as Result of Sequestration ST.
Have a Youth Protection question you're not comfortable asking some stranger at the council or national level? Ever feel like Youth Protection is "too national" and doesn't directly apply to your unit? I hear you. And so does the BSA's National Youth Protection committee.
Click to open the April 1 issue The April 1 issue of the Finance Impact Department's e-Letter has been published and is available online. The National Development and Fiscal Management Symposium provides local council staff and volunteers an opportunity to get the latest on what's new in the fundraising field as well as the latest…
Wilson's best 2012 finish was a win at the Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway . Looking for one more reason to watch IndyCar this year? Try this: Justin Wilson, already a three-time winner on the IndyCar Series in his five-year career, drives the No.
Well, by now most, if not all of you have seen or are keenly aware of the Hit TV series " Are you tougher than a Boy Scout ". As they get through the first season, the subject of future seasons have begun.
Julia A. Pierson was sworn in as the 23rd director of the United States Secret Service on March 27, becoming the first woman to hold the post. Pierson, who has more than 30 years of experience with the Secret Service, was an Explorer in Post 103 with the Orlando, Florida, Police Department as a youth…
Even the small actions like giving someone the chance to shine even for a very limited time can make their day for the rest of their lives.
Posted in A Game with a Purpose Truck Transportation Merit Badge for Boy Scouts A local trucking company offers Boy Scouts a skill center for the Truck Transportation merit badge every year. The last time our Scouts went, they said they learned a lot, but they were a little disappointed that they...
This year I got a new pack. I traded in my Granite Gear Nimbus Trace for a lighter pack in an effort to reduce pack weight. I read somewhere that it is a good idea when reducing base weight to start at the base..
Any high adventure canoe trip requires selecting the right gear and clothing. I am pretty specific about what we carry on our trips because I know one thing for sure; in the case of where we are going: It's All About Portaging In a place like Algonquin you'll be traveling from lake to lake, and…
Here is a membership best practice that has been tested and evaluated, that works well in any council environment, and, if properly followed and executed, will produce some phenomenal new Tiger Cub volunteers and members. It was a collaborative effort of many, developed by Lucia Cronin, Central Region membership chair, and produced by a JTE…
This bamboo dome project was originally published on Ropes and Poles in 2006. Photographs and a full report on this dome built by Israeli Scouts are in the blog post .
As preparations for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree continue, we have been simultaneously working on the development and marketing of the 2014 high adventure program that will be headquartered at the Christen High Adventure Base here on The Summit. In a previous post I outlined the four crew programs that will be offered: The River…
We all get to a point when we hit the wall, reach the point of diminishing return, stop having fun. Teen age boys seem to hit that point way before adults and that my friends seems to be normal. So know what we know, how do we deliver that promise without loosing our cool, making…
Modern portage packs have an advanced suspension system that is much like a normal backpack. At the beginning of a high adventure canoe trip our portage packs our packs weigh about 60-70 pounds. This is quite a load for some of us but time has proven that even our smallest Scouts can handle them very…
Posted in The Arts and Creativity BSA Bear Supplemental Den Meeting Plan E – Magic This Bear den meeting plan covers Bear Elective 13 – Magic.. Let your Cub Scouts learn some tricks and put on their own show! Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Cub Scouting,...
Scouting, in all of its many varieties, can build the foundation for a lifelong career of serving others. That's true in the traditional Scouting programs - Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing - but also in the lesser-known ones, like Exploring . Consider Julia A.
Cord-cutters, busy people, and the DVR-averse, lend me your ears. Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout? is coming to DVD this summer. That's big news for a number of Scouting constituencies I heard from over the course of the six-episode season, which ended on Monday.
Like The Hulk, you don't wanna see Scouts when they get angry. But it's a natural human emotion, so it's bound to happen in your troop. When it does, do you know how to respond? Learn how in this month's ScoutCast , the monthly podcast for Boy Scout leaders.
Steven Karoly's blog Round the Chuckbox features this receipt with a story about camping with his family: After a quick inventory, I realized that flour was in short supply in camp so I prepared the hotcake batter with ingredients on hand.
________________________________________ Hi Andy, Does a Scoutmaster appoint the Assistant Scoutmaster, or does the troop committee do this? Related to that, can a Scoutmaster refuse to accept a new ASM? (Jerry Kazanjian, UC, Old Colony Council, MA) Ultimately, of course, the head of the chartered organization, or designee, the Chartered Organization Representative, has final authority over who…
Ah, the Laughs For Lunch Shows . They were a yearly campfire-style program that the Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 performed for our community for 13 years, the first one held in 1996. We had a lot of fun doing them and I believe the audiences really enjoyed them.
Elder Tad R. Callister gave a talk during the priesthood session at General Conference about leadership in the young men. While it was focused on priesthood leadership rather than scouting, in the LDS church those go hand in hand and the principles apply.
Simple 1-1 Anchor with rope tackle We apply a rope tackle, (also known as the trucker’s hitch, lineman’s hitch, load binder, and harvester hitch) where the guy lines meet the anchors for pretty much all our pioneering projects. For safety reasons, taut-line hitches should never be used in any pioneering work, because if the tension…
Over the weekend, the Tree Scouts of Pack 221 in the Pioneer District of the Cascade Pacific Council celebrated with an Arrow of Light Ceremony and Crossover at Magness Tree Farm. The Webelos II, called Tree Scouts in 2011 came to Magness Tree Farm to complete the Forester Webelos Activity Pin. It was one of
In a constant quest for new gear and nifty gadgets I have found my new favorite knife. I recently purchased a knife that is multifunctional, light weight and durable. From the makers of the Light My Fire Swedish Fire Steel, Meal kit, and ever so famous Spork, comes the Light My Fire Swedish Fire Knife.
When we're talking high adventure, you know the Summit is all about it . It's big and there's world class adventure to be had. But to understand the scale of something you need to see it in context with other things in its class.
When did you become a leader? Was it when someone anointed you the head of something and you took charge? Did you volunteer for a job in your unit? Did everyone else take a step backward when Sarge called for …
Posted in Recruiting Recruiter Strip The Recruiter Strip is worn by Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts who have recruited another boy to join Scouting. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing [ This is a content summary only.
In this edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast it's time, once again, for another Scoutmaster Panel Discussion! Larry and Tom join me to discuss program evaluation tools and how we keep up with how well we are doing our work as Scoutmasters (or as any Scouting volunteer).
For anyone who's seen a Boy Scout patrol return from grocery shopping with six family size bags of sour-cream-and-onion potato chips. For anyone who has set out snacks for a Cub Scout den and seen the boys eat everything but the carrots and celery sticks.
Posted in Nature and the World Geography Pin for Cub Scouts Today's youth will have to know a lot about the world when they grow up. We live more in a global community than we used to . Cub Scouts can learn about different regions of the world by earning the Geography pin from the Cub…
On our high adventure canoe trip each crew packs and cooks food for a group of five to nine Scouts. Our menu is a combination of freeze dried and grocery store food that keeps the cost reasonable while providing good nutrition and good eating.
Last year's patch. This year's design hasn't yet been released. Maybe you'll walk in the footsteps of the Wright Brothers in Ohio, hike from scene to scene in an outdoor production of Snow White in Boulder, or bike through redwoods in California.
I've not written anything for a while. Not that there hasn't been any Scouting in my life, just nothing out of the ordinary or exciting / interesting to report. I was thinking of putting down a few lines today about the death of our ex Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, and about some of the nasty, spiteful…
The pipe hitch has a variety of uses, but it really comes in handy for pulling out those pioneering stakes that were driven in deeply to maximize the holding power of the anchors. Using the pipe hitch for this purpose can eliminate a good deal of straining, banging, and possible damage when it comes time…
The difference is that in my youth there was no Twitter or Facebook, so if I did something stupid (which of couse I never ever ever did) then it stay with that group of college or school friends
Posted in FitnessOutdoor Recreation May Cub Scout Theme – Destination Parks (Health and Fitness) BSA offers supplemental pack program ideas for each month. One of the Cub Scout themes for the May core value of Health and Fitness is a Destination Parks theme.
Adults keep an eye on things from a respectful distance and Scouts lead themselves. When we talk about boys planning, preparing and leading Scout outings some folks reply "Good grief, how can you leave the Scouts in charge when the troop is going on a strenuous hike to Jones Mountain and they have no experience?
Wood Badge + Philmont = Happy Land I interrupt my regular blog programming for this important Wood Badge Wednesdays announcement… I'm staffing Wood Badge this summer at Philmont Scout Ranch, and there's a spot on our course for you and your Scouting friends.
The April 2013 version of POR is now available
Gauteng Kontiki, the biggest annual event in South African Scouting, starts tomorrow. I'll be posting pics throughout the weekend. You can keep up with the official Kontiki website , the official Facebook page , the @ropesandpoles twitter account , and the @arrowepark instagram feed . Posts and info on previous events are under the RAFT tag on this blog.
I was recently asked for some advice for speaking infront of people at an AGM, my first thought was to say Picture them Naked. However when I actually thought about that statement and I a not really sure if that would work.
Water is everywhere-there's no escaping it. Going with the flow? That's all about water. If you can't beat it-and really, why would you want to?-you might as well join it by learning as many ways to enjoy good old H20 as possible.
Posted in CitizenshipCulture American Heritage Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Boy Scouts who are interested in history can earn the American Heritage merit badge and learn about our past. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing [ This is a content summary only.
Kevin Callan is the most famous camping and canoeing expert you've never heard of. Maybe expert isn't really the word I am looking for; let's call Kevin an enthusiast. When I think of an expert I think of someone with a great deal of experience and knowledge in a given subject who shares knowledge and…
Posted in Scoutcraft BSA Wolf Supplemental Den Meeting Plan F – Make It Yourself BSA provides Wolf den meeting plans for Cub Scout den leaders. Today's plan is a supplemental den meeting plan in which Wolf Cub Scouts make a recipe card holder.
I like setting goals. I like knowing what success is and developing a plan to get there. I use the various Individual and Unit Awards to help assess and develop long term strategic goals for our units, both for the …
There are several posts and threads on many different forums on the Internet about Knots. I most recently wrote one in July of 2012. That post and ones linked to it talked about how the Boy Scouts of America have discontinued and replaced a lot of the Cubscout Program based Knots. Many of us
There's more to a Scout trailer than meets the eye. Sure, a troop trailer with an eye-catching paint job or wrap - like the ones I featured in this post - can help recruit new Scouts and show onlookers that "Troop 123 is here."
If you are travelling in bear country follow these ten ways to avoid bears: Keep your cooking areas and sleeping areas separate (100 yards or so is the rule of thumb). Hang food and items with strong odors (ie, toothpaste, bug repellent, soap, etc.)
Double Platform Monkey Bridge It’s a pretty safe to say most Scouts love to climb things. So, it makes sense that if a monkey bridge is combined with something to climb on, it will be even more fun. The challenge in constructing a project like this is to assure the structure can safely support not…
This composite of 70 exposures shows the trail of the ISS passing through the night sky in Germany. (Till Credner via NASA) Satellite spotting is great fun! With a little preparation you can hunt for satellites on your next camping trip.
The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 used to be very good with performing campfire songs and skits. The troop looked forward to performing at camporees and summer camp campfire programs. There were many times we would take a popular skit or song, change it up a bit, and make it something new.
“Did little Johnny attend the Cub Scout den meeting when we did requirement 3?” “Was my child at the pack meeting when the park ranger talked?” Have you ever been asked these questions? I have, and unfortunately, I don’t always have the answer!
Scouting ambassador and TV presenter Julia Bradbury has made a heartfelt video message explaining how Scout Community Week will raise vital funds for Scouts with disabilities.
Gateway to the Boy Scout Camp Pioneering Area Using the 14′ Double Ladder Signal Tower as a point of reference, here are the plans for a very tall campsite gateway that stands out (and up) and serves as an impressive feat of Scout engineering.
Gauteng Kontiki is over for another year, the rafts have all been packed away and now tents and ropes are being aired out to dry at Scout halls all over the province. I'll be posting more in the coming weeks, but the first thing is to congratulate the winners: 1st Robin Hills Silver Stallions who…
Join the BSA and the National Park Trust and help us get hundreds of thousands of kids across America to our parks to celebrate National Kids to Parks Day on Saturday, May 18! Register to be counted at www.kidstoparks.org , where you will find free resources, including park events in your community.
The pie plate pitch game is a great gathering activity for your den. It’s also an easy one to pull out if your Cub Scouts have been sitting for a while and need to do something active . Here’s all you need: Aluminum pie plate with targets drawn on it Washers (six or eight) Using a…
Two Boy Scouts attended a committee meeting recently. One came for his Star Rank board of review, the other to ask some questions about his Eagle Rank. After talking to both Scouts we discovered it may be time to spend a portion of each troop meeting talking about the basics of Scouting.
Just about all of us Scouters are also parents. As parents, we want the best for our kids, and some parents go a bit out of bounds to make sure they get the best and do their best – even …
Within Wood Badge and any training, there is a Stop, Start and Continue section. It is also called Rose, Buds & Thorns at the Troop level. After many courses there is a 360. This is my Start, Stop, Continue, Rose, Bud, Thorn and 360 of my past five years as I see it. My goal
Posted in Nature and the World Venturing Ranger Award Elective – Plants and Wildlife To complete the Venturing Ranger Award requirements for Plants and Wildlife, a Venturer must learn about how plants and wildlife coexist and depend upon each other. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for...
________________________________________ Dear Andy, How do I get my den's parents to understand the importance of turning in a Health & Medical Form for themselves and their sons for den and pack outings? I've stopped planning outings because I'm not sure who would pay if somebody got hurt or forgot their medicine, or needed away-from-home treatment.
Can't swim the 100-meter butterfly in less than 50 seconds? That's OK - nobody but Michael Phelps can. But I did just hear about a swimming record you and your Scouts do have a chance to break. Register now to participate in the Guinness World Record attempt for The World's Largest Swimming Lesson , held at pools…
In this edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast we talk about this month's ScoutCircle, reiterate how Scouting cooperates with the family in matters of discipline and behavior, and answer a question about the Toten' Chip card. All this and your messages in the mailbag!
The spring 2013 issue of Giving Matters has been published and is available online. Because of the generosity of our many donors, the BSA is able to impact the lives of close to 3 million youth. Giving Matters is designed to highlight the many ways their contributions are making a difference every day in the…
One of my responsibilities as the Chartered Organization Representative is to see that a committee is organized and functioning. I'm trying to get parents involved, but I've really struggled with who to get for the advancement chair. I have wanted to avoid having a parent do this, just to avoid any potential problems, but I…
After a tough time rowing up the Wildcat creek and a robust lunch in the old dining hall, the Scouts of Troop 13′s Fox Patrol marched down a set of steep steps to cross a ravine on a long plank bridge, then climb to the top of the hill for the afternoon's program.
This brand new book of hands-on Scouting skills is ideal for any adult or young person wanting to improve their outdoor know-how.
You talked, and we listened! Thanks to the requests of many Scouts who have been requesting a tweak to the Cycling merit badge, we have added a mountain biking option to the requirements. Now, Scouts can choose to complete their Cycling merit badge with either the road bike option or the mountain bike option.
It disappoints me that often we as members of the UK scouting are so quick to judge other organisations based on snippets of information that comes out through social media outlets. It really get under my skin when those judgement in particular focus on the delivery of programme for young people.
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2013 National Scout Jamboree visitors are in for a big treat at the Summit Center, but might be left wondering what adventures await beyond the Summit? If that's you, you've come to the right place. There is a ton of fun stuff to do in West Virginia.
