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Posted in Fitness Bowling Pin for Cub Scouts Cub Scouts who like to bowl can earn the Bowling pin from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program. By earning this recognition, they will practice skills to improve their game and learn more about the sport.
Pinewood Derby is an exciting time for Cub Scouts. Add to the fun by making "pit passes" for the boys.
My original plan for being the Cubmaster was for just two years and then become the Webelos Den Leader for the remaining time. My goal was to get the Pack on course and pointed in the correct path and step-down. I am not sure when it was during my tenure as Cubmaster, but I realized
From a speech given at the BSA national meetings in May 1992: "Throughout our country, we have been screaming ever louder for more and more of the things we cannot take with us, and paying less and less attention to the real sources of the very happiness we seek.
From top: Scout Executive Chuck Eaton, Council Commissioner Bruce Showstack, and Council Venturing Chair Bonnie Showstack I just got off the phone with Chuck Eaton, Scout Executive at Boston Minuteman Council, about yesterday's tragedy at the Boston Marathon. He said that Council Commissioner Bruce Showstack and his wife, Bonnie, the council's venturing committee chair, were…
Via Curious, Useless, or Simply Interesting Scout Knowledge What is authentic Scouting? 52 Scout leaders from 16 countries in the European Scout Region replied to a survey about the retention of young people in Scouting conducted by the World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM) during the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden.
When two bombs went off at the Boston Marathon yesterday, Bruce and Bonnie Showstack were standing where they have for the past decade of races - two blocks from the finish line. The Showstacks, both longtime Scouting volunteers in the Boston Minuteman Council, have spent the past 10 to 12 years working in Section 12, the…
The BSA's mission to help boys be "Prepared. For Life. ® " is directly correlated with the need for literacy in America and precisely why the BSA incorporates literacy into so much of our program. Reading, writing, and speaking intersect with everything in life: character development, emotional intelligence, and physical fitness.
At most Scouting events, there isn’t a permanently-installed, tall, metal pole for raising and lowering the colors. During opening ceremonies at these Scout gatherings, a tall flagpole made by joining long spars together can impress and inspire. Opening Ceremony at a District Camporee What is meant by tall?
If your troop is planning an outing to Meadow Hot Springs anytime soon, consider these suggestions for camping in the area that can create a better experience for your scouts. The first year we explored Meadow, Utah, we decided to hit the hot springs on Friday night and the lava tubes on Saturday.
Bare with me while I try to collect my thoughts and try to share them in a coherent way… We just wrapped up the first session of Wood Badge course W1-492-13 and as is the case in or of the Wood Badge experience, there are plenty of opportunities to do some reflection and looking inward…
Thomas R. Harrington has been appointed to the position of Regional Director, Western Region, effective Aug. 1. Tom has been serving as the Scout executive of the Cradle of Liberty Council, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, since 2010. Under Tom's leadership, the Cradle of Liberty team has attained traditional membership growth and a balanced operating budget for each…
Give this pioneering-themed game a try. An alligator infested river, a few Scout staves and some ropes, one Scout must get across the river without feeding the alligators! Click the image to see full-sized alligator river game as a PDF file Alligator River Pioneering Game
Today I saw a tweet from a guy I follow. He is an AT section hiker and shared this video, a humorous look at the MSR Reactor stove. I have never used a Reactor, but I have seen them and think that they are pretty neat.
Posted in Youth Leadership Leadership Troop Program Feature for Boy Scouts This program feature offers the opportunity to explore different aspects of leadership. This would be an especially relevant program theme if your troop youth leadership elections are approaching. Copyright Scouter Mom -...
Every Scout Unit has a Committee. The Pack is no different. The BSA National Website has this to say about a Pack Committee: "A strong pack committee will have members assigned to such areas as record keeping and correspondence, finances, advancement, training, public relations, and membership and registration. The pack committee chair decides how the
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, N.Y. Boy Scout log cabins, I've seen before. But a Scout cabin built inside a church? That's got to be one of a kind. Since its construction in February 1928, a Scout-built log cabin in the basement of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church has served as Buffalo, N.Y., Troop…
KNOTS Kayak Rolling April 2013 Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
Though certainly not a requirement for earning the Eagle Scout Award, an Eagle Scout Service Project video can be icing on the cake, celebrating and commemorating a boy's hard work and planning. And with HD cameras built into modern smartphones and inexpensive user-friendly, video-editing software available, it's easier than ever to produce high-quality videos like…
2010 Lincoln Navigator 4×2 Approximate miles: 32,298 Exterior color: white platinum metallic tri-coat Interior color: camel with perforated premium leather Asking price: $33,595 Location: National Council Equipment/features: 5.4L 3V SOHC engine V8 FFV AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD/MP3-capable/THX II Six-speed automatic transmission with OD Heated front seats Sirius satellite radio 2011 GMC Terrain FWD SLE-2…
As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the protection of youth in our programs, the designation of parents of youth members in traditional programs as ScoutParents will end effective July 1. BSA literature, forms, and processes are being revised to match this change in program.
Scanned from the 1976 Printing of the 1967 Edition of the Boy Scout Fieldbook
Last weekend, we had the privilege of attending the S-4 Section Conference at Gulf Ridge Council ‘s Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation in Lake Wales, Florida. Over 1,000 Arrowmen from all over the state gathered together to engage in training seminars, competitions and of course, fun and games!
A conversation yesterday with our ward's scoutmaster got me thinking about something. I'm not sure I have any real answers, I'm just mulling things over in my mind and decided it might help to write down my thoughts. The question I've been pondering is: which is more important, having a well-run Scouting program, or blessing…
Every uniform, badge, book or piece of outdoor kit purchased from Scout Shops helps us to deliver everyday adventure.
The 87th Reunion event will take place at Gilwell Park Scout Activity Centre on 6 to 8 September 2013
On June 18, tens of thousands of kids and adults at aquatic facilities around the world will unite to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson. The event, dubbed the "World's Largest Swimming Lesson," provides a great opportunity for Scouts attending camp to become world record holders while they help…
John Mosby, Scout executive of the Narragansett Council in Providence, Rhode Island, has agreed to chair the 2013 Top Hands Steering Committee. This committee will represent field personnel as well as serve in key leadership roles in the planning and execution of the annual Top Hands meetings.
Posted in Science Weather Merit Badge for Boy Scouts The Weather merit badge might be a good one for all of those Boy Scouts who spend a lot of time worrying about and checking the weather before they go camping.
Overshadowed The way it ought to be How is the one essential feature of Scouting explained? We are all familiar with this quote form the founder of Scouting; The Patrol System is the one essential feature in which Scout training differs from that of all other organizations, and where the System is properly applied, it…
There is just so much to know about being a Den Leader that it can really be daunting. I so wish I was a Vulcan and could Mind-Meld with the incoming Den Leader. One of the better sites, though a tad outdated in some of it's listed requirements of Training, from Merit Badge.org. This is
I was sickened to read about last night's deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant in the city of West, just 90 minutes south of the BSA's National Office in Texas. West, a tight-knit community of 2,700, is part of the Longhorn Council, and Longhorn Scout Executive John Coyle told me this morning that his council's…
Anthony L. Mei has been selected as the 2013 Woods Services Award recipient in recognition of his exceptional service and leadership in the field of Scouting for youth with disabilities. The Woods Services Award is provided by the Woods Services and Residential Treatment Center in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, in memory of Luther Wellington Lord, who served…
Based on our current schedule, we are projecting that data from the 2013 spring VOS survey will display on May 8 as part of the JTE dashboard update. The information displayed will include the NPS scores, driver question scores, and text comments made in response to the NPS and driver questions.
We need your feedback on the requirements for new badges.
Water Knot The following text is by Adolph E. Peschke as presented in the 1998 printing of the 1993 edition of the Pioneering Merit Badge Pamphlet: Water Knot What could be simpler than tying two overhand knots to form a water knot?
Benoni is the city which hosts Gauteng KonTiki , and the front page of the local newspaper this week featured KonTiki, along with a full page of writeup and pictures . From the article : Scouting groups from across Gauteng assembled at Arrowe Park , in Alphen Park, for a spectacle of raft-building, Scouting and Cub challenges, from April…
All scouting programmes are built around a progressive training scheme and to mark a young persons achievements there is some form of award recondition. How we recognise those achievements is what makes young people remember them. Do you remember being present with a scouting award?
At The Trax, explore the pure joy of rolling on two wheels over primo BMX terrain. Rollers, berms and downhill courses are calling your name. BMX Curriculum When you arrive at The Trax , you'll receive your gear and safety training.
The Scout Promise talks about helping other people. When I realised my 92 year old Grandma was feeling a little left out I set about finding a way to help her. Nannan wasn't left out on purpose it's just the rest of us were doing things she can't. That's when I came up with Paperwait
We depend on satellite phone rental for emergency communications during our annual high adventure canoe trips. Since we'll be travelling out of cell phone range we want some way to contact help if needed. There are a number of technologies available but a satellite phone is the only one that enables two-way voice communication If…
Posted in Careers and Vocations BSA Tiger Supplemental Den Meeting Plan K – Go See It: Go to Work BSA provides a set of Tiger den meeting plans for Cub Scout den leaders. This den meeting plan covers Tiger Elective 39 – Go to Work.
The Boy Scouts of America's Executive Committee today released its membership policy resolution, which proposes removing the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation alone and maintaining the current membership policy for all adult leaders of the Boy Scouts of America.
A bit of good news from West, Texas, today. Longhorn Council Scout Executive John Coyle says he's learned the members of Pack 494 and Troop 494 in West are all safe and accounted for after the deadly explosion there Wednesday night .
John Pratt from Crossroads of America Council wrote via the feedback form to suggest that maybe there ought to be a new square knot for Scouts and Scouters that complete High Adventure events like the Philmont Trek. We chatted about it a bit and came up the idea that maybe there should be a knot…
Our hearts and prayers go out to the many families affected, both directly and indirectly by the two horrific tragedies in the northeast recently, both of which involved children. Words cannot adequately express the many thoughts that run through a parent's head in such situations and the agony one goes through over the thought of…
We're concerned and we hope you are too. As you may have already heard, the Executive Council of the Boy Scouts of America released their proposed policy today, which keeps the gay ban in place for adult leaders but would prohibit kicking out openly gay Scout youth members "on the basis of sexual orientation or…
________________________________________ Dear Andy, I'm a Cubmaster. Our pack is planning a camping trip for our Cub Scouts and one of the Webelos Den Leader who's also an Assistant Scoutmaster, wants the Boy Scouts of the troop he's associated with to come camping with the pack.
In the campsite it’s easy to fly the colors by simply tying them directly to the top of the simple flagpole with a couple of short cords. But, on a taller pole that’s going to stay standing , and when you want to raise and lower the flag(s), of course you need a halyard.
On April 19 the B.S.A. released the Membership Standards Study Initiative Executive Summary and the Membership Standards Resolution to be voted on in our May national meeting. Like many people on both sides of the question my first impression of the membership standards resolution was disappointment and frustration.
We all know that Boy Scouts can get quite dirty when they are on a camping trip. Sometimes they become filthy. Once and awhile, at the end of a week of summer camp, their clothes may stand up on their own.
Whenever your den or pack is doing a service project, use these Cub Scout volunteer badges to show everyone that your pack supports your community. While your Cub Scouts will probably be in their Class A uniforms or Class B pack t-shirts, it’s great to identify them as volunteers .
There's been a sharp increase in the number of adult volunteers since the Duchess of Cambridge joined Scouting in January 2012.
No, parents are not being pushed out of Scouting. They are as essential as ever from Cubs all the way up to Venturing. What's being changed is the ScoutParent designation, a pseudo-registered position that's been with us for several years …
Which merit badges had Scouts rushing to counselors and Moms and Dads rushing to the sewing machine last year? Here's your answer. In January 2012, I presented a list of 2011′s most- and least-popular merit badges based on sales numbers from the Supply Division.
I received an email the other day from another Scouter that really has me thinking. Apparently several members of his family really do not like Scouting because their father spent so much time on it when they were younger. To quote a part of his email: "I've seen that happen to...
Posted in HikingOutdoor Recreation Hiking Activities If you are out with a goal oriented group and you want them to take some time to explore, consider adding one or more additional hiking activities. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting [ This is a content summary only.
In the coming Months there are two events that EVERY SCOUT GROUP should take part in. The first is Jamboree on the Trail. It is on May 11th. I have written about this event many times over the years. I also was part of my reason to create and start the Cubmaster's Hike. I
In this edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast we answer emails about the membership standards resolution, a Scout who's being bullied and picked on, wearing the Eagle Mentor pin, another blue card problem, and Scouts who are picky eaters. All this and your messages in the mailbag!
Doing Your Best, even in adverse circumstances, is part of Scouting's core. So we shouldn't be too surprised that Justin Wilson, driver of the No. 19 Boy Scouts of America IndyCar, finished third in Sunday's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach - even after starting third-to-last.
Congratulations to the runners who tackled the London Marathon on Sunday and raised vital funds for Scouting.
In the year 2012 , the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in England and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans."
Posted in Fitness Golf Pin for Cub Scouts If you have a Cub Scout who really likes to golf, he can earn the Golf pin from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program. Maybe he can even share some of his knowledge of the game with the other Scouts in his pack or den and…
I started this blog several years ago when I was serving as the Venturing Advisor in my ward. In the LDS church we don't choose where we serve and we don't volunteer--we are asked by a priesthood leader. We believe that we are called by inspiration to serve where we are needed.
It's a peculiar vision to see snow-capped mountains and dusty, hot sand all in the same line of sight. But these two geographic elements intertwine at the secret destination in the March-April "Where Am I?" contest . The location? The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve , 35 miles north of Alamosa, Colo.
We replaced our old propane gas lanterns five or more years ago with Coleman Pack-Away LED Lanterns. Like any Scout gear they've been battered, bruised and broken and we've decided it's time they were replaced. Overall the Rayovac Sportsman seems to be built more solidly than the Coleman Pack-Away.The telescoping feature of the Coleman Pack-Away…
I recently came across a great website called The Art of Manliness. They published an interesting article comparing the 1911 BSA handbook with the modern one. Here's the thesis of the article: Because the Scouts were designed to be a repository of traditionally manly values, tracing those changes offers an interesting prism through which to…
Timeless Attraction. The Mission and Purpose of the Boy Scouts of America are and shall forever remain unchanged. By the same token, the contribution that our heritage of outdoor skills makes to the richness of the Scouting experience is also unchangeable.
New Market Ballista Interpatrol Activity Assembling their Ballista First of all, let’s acknowledge what appears to be the source for this easy-to-execute design, the website for: Scouts South Africa where you can download a pdf of the design and directions.
Last night our Troop held it's Patrol leaders council meeting. The meeting was unlike most of the PLC meetings in that this meeting was kind of a reflective meeting as our troop is going through, like most troops go through in the course of time, some transition.
With anything, there is a starting point. In Cubscouts, it is the Bobcat Rank. It's the rank that helps the Cubscout start to understand the culture of Scouting. He continues on this path with much guidance in the beginning and less so as he reaches the Arrow of Light Rank. In Boyscout, the joining rank
Posted in Science Star Wars Song A while back, I posted the Fast Food Song. This week, I have a Star Wars song with the same tune. Sure, Star Wars isn't science, but it is science fiction and it's fun.
They say this summer's National Jamboree will be the most-connected ever. Well, this is a great start. Version 1.0 of the Jamboree Summit App is available on Android devices. The app clocks in at just over 10 MB and costs $0.99 in the Google Play store .
Here's my list of top ten fire starters: Good strike-anywhere matches are increasingly difficult to find. I stock up on my favorite brand (Redbird from Eddy Match in Ontario) when we are in Canada for our canoe trips. Lightweight and reliable (if kept dry ) A disposable butane lighter may get a little sluggish at very…
The National Council Executive Committee developed a resolution to be presented to the voting members of the National Council at its annual meeting next month. As was expected, there were a variety of opinions on just about every aspect of this topic.
As the weather warms up and lakes begin to thaw, your Troop may be making plans to go fishing in the next few months. Did you know there's a license exemption for youth organizations in Utah? My troop discovered this as they planned an ice fishing outing on Rockport Reservoir back in February.
The ongoing rolling review of the governance and guidelines of activities continues to remove unnecessary barriers in Scouting.
Tomorrow starts the National Football League Draft. With much anticipation I'll be watching to see where the best college players will end up. Now, I know you are like me and these last couple weeks have been a fever pitch of following the rise and fall of players as they… or I should say their…
Posted in The Arts and Creativity Textile Merit Badge for Boy Scouts A textile is a flexible material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Boy Scouts can learn all about the uses and manufacture of textiles while working on the Textile...
If you are a Scout or Venturer with journalistic aspirations and you are heading to the 2013 National Scout Jamboree , you can register as a Hometown News Correspondent . What does that mean? It means you cover the jamboree for the Hometown News, the jamboree's youth media hub, and send your written, photo and video content…
What are balanced Scouting activities? This time of year I get colorful brochures in my actual mailbox (if you look outside your house there's probably a little tin container that people put paper documents called ‘mail' in periodically, it's a quaint custom) and my email inbox from amusement parks, sporting venues, whitewater rafting companies and…
Whether you're a new Scoutmaster or not, Working the Patrol Method – A Scout Leader's Guide To Youth Leadership Training is a MUST-READ for both alike! It's one of those "tools" you wish every Scoutmaster got when he accepted his role in a Unit (including me).
Derek Twine is retiring after 16 successful years as CEO of The Scout Association.
Matt Hyde, the recently appointed Chief Executive of The Scout Association, will take up his new role today.
Most of the drawings on this blog have been created using SketchUp, a great, cheap 3d modeling program for Windows and Mac. There have been a few attempts to make an equally intuitive modeling app for tablets, and I think Autodesk have something very capable in their new app, Formit .
The dirt is flying to get the Summit ready for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree . The Park skateboarding haven is coming along nicely. Before you know it the jamboree will be here and you'll be flowing over all that awesome concrete.
Here's three handy phrases for Scoutmasters from an interview on next week's podcast. You may find these useful in any number of situations. How would you use these phrases? Three Handy Phrases for Scoutmasters
Posted in Science BSA Arrow of Light Den Meeting Plan 5 – Scientist The fifth in the Arrow of Light series of Webelos den meeting plans covers part of the Scientist Activity Badge. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting [ This is a content summary only.
There has been a lot of press lately that the Boy Scouts of America is about to change its policy on allowing opening gay youth into the organization. In fact, the press likes to make it sound like this is already a done deal.
2010 Buick LaCrosse FWD CX Approximate miles: 42,104 Exterior color: quicksilver metallic Interior color: titanium cloth seats Asking price: $16,471 Location: National Council Equipment/features: 3.0L V6 VVT DOHC SIDI engine AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 playback and XM satellite radio Electronic six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive Power locks/windows 2008 Chevy Trailblazer 4×2 LT Approximate miles: 61,519…
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS MY OPINION AND NOT THE OPINION OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, TROOP 664, OR THE FINE LEADERS THAT I CALL MY FRIENDS. Having said all of that I am going to briefly revisit this whole "Gay Scout" issue.
As I hit the publish button on the last post I realized that I never offered a solution. And I am still wondering what that is… but I can tell you that if I were King for the day… or at least the Chief Scout Executive here is what I would do tomorrow.
________________________________________ Hi Andy, In your last column, you mentioned, "…By the way, your son gets to wear the God and Family religious "square knot" badge on his Boy Scout uniform." I've never seen a Scout with a square knot. Fer real?
Boys' Life Growth Award The Boys' Life Growth Award is given twice annually (June and December) to recognize and thank BSA professionals who achieve a 3 percent or greater Boys' Life subscription growth, and/or who serve a 68 percent or greater market share of the total of Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, Boy Scouts…
Spring is finally here, at least in the north, and we're finally getting outdoors (without heavy winter gear) enjoying some warmer weather. School may be winding down or ramping up for the final push. Many troops undergo a shift in …
Posted in Outdoor Recreation Venturing Ranger Award Elective – Project COPE To complete the Venturing Ranger Award requirements for Project COPE, a Venturer must complete a COPE course, a COPE director's course, or a college level outdoor education course. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource...
Pay attention, because there'll be a test later. Boy Scout families - both current and former - can score $250 SAT or ACT test-prep computer programs for less than $20. That means the study materials, shipping, student support, and streaming content can be yours for less than half what it costs to take the actual tests themselves.
In this edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast we feature our second installment of The Colorado Experiment, the story of a new Scoutmaster and a new troop. All this and your messages in the mailbag! Links in this Podcast: ScoutCircle ScoutmasterCG YouTube Channel Scoutmaster Podcast 169 The Colorado Experiment 2
A collection of Kiff's Instagram Photos for you to enjoy TTFN Kiff ©ChrisMeadows2013 Hello Reader – Are you new to Jabbering All Day Long can I suggest that you check out our Starter for Ten Page which will hopefully give you a guide as you take your first couple of footsteps around this site.
Are you looking to purchase a new smartphone or tablet before this year's inaugural Summit event? AT&T has an offer perfect for Scouts and friends of Scouting alike. Take advantage and you'll have power on the go for all your upcoming Scouting adventures.
