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The Silver Buffalo Award recognizes leaders whose service to youth is broad-reaching-whether it's the creation of exciting new programs, the organization of high-magnitude events, or bringing Scouting to under-served youth. The award is Scouting's highest honor, and this year's class joins previous recipients such as Bill Gates, Robert Baden-Powell, Bob Hope, William Hillcourt, and many…
Here's a Scouter's summer camp schedule: Time Scouts Scouters 6:45 AM Awakened by the SPL and PL's. Flag is raised and all Scouts go to polar bear swim as a group. I used to get up and go to Polar Bear swim years ago (like 15 or so) but I think it's important for the…
While in Scouts, Pip sang at Courts of Honor and other troop functions. Last night's finale of Season 4 of The Voice got me thinking about Pip, the Eagle Scout who got much more than 15 minutes of fame as a contestant on Season 2 of the hit NBC show .
Now that a new membership policy has been adopted, what exactly will that mean for the BSA? Specifically, what will and will not change? Above all else, every member of Scouting is expected to live up to the high standards of the Scout Oath and Scout Law, exemplify the highest level of good conduct, and…
Single Lock Bridge, Camp Coker, Society Hill This fundamental trestle bridge design yields a solid structure. With Adolph Peschke’s text as the main point of reference, there are some guidelines that will help in its successful construction, under the following photos: Building the Trestles and Walkways Lashing on the Walkway Underspar and Plank Transporting the…
AVAILABLE NOW Thoughts On Scouting Ideas, Insights and Inspirations for Scouters Authored by Clarke Green I have a fondness for sayings, maxims, adages, mottoes, epigrams, proverbs, and aphorisms. There's poetry and beauty in expressing a complex thought with a few well-chosen words.
If first impressions are everything, your unit website better be good. These days, many prospective Scouts and their parents will research your pack, troop, or crew online long before they pick up the phone or visit one of your meetings.
Watch this space as we'll be giving these limited-edition patches away over the course of the year. Or just find me at the jamboree next month!
A Beaver Scout from north London has launched an innovative online campaign in memory of his grandfather, who recently died from motor neurone disease.
Well… as of this week, we now officially have a new scout in the family. I delivered to the council all of the new members of my Tiger den. Not to be outdone, the oldest also passed his BoR for First Class!
(The following article was written by Brad Schulzetenberg, an alumni of Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68. Brad was a member of the troop from 2000 to 2005. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout. It is the third of a series of guest articles written by former members of Troop 68.)
Perhaps "Troop Program Death Spiral" is a gratuitously dramatic title but it describes something that does happen. Got your attention, though, didn't I? How and why do troops get off track and loose Scouts? There's a predictable sequence of events that spiral down into a crash.
With apologies to the ubiquitous convenience store chain, more Eagle Scout projects went up last year alone than the total number of 7-Elevens currently open worldwide. Yes, the number of 2012 Eagle Scout projects bested the number of worldwide 7-Elevens by a score of
KidVentures: 50 Outdoor Experiences of Childhood Discovery" gives you some great ways to spend the summer with your kids.
The Boy Scouts of America's website states this about the the Aims of Scouting: The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America - incorporated on Feb. 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916 - is to provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship…
I've spent some time reviewing the new Outdoor Ethics materials published by the BSA. Outdoor ethics have always been a part of Scouting. While the basic ethical imperatives have remained constant, our application and interpretation of them has changed and evolved over time.
Nearly 6,000 Beavers, Cubs and Brownies and 2,000 volunteers descended on Gilwell Park for an exhilarating weekend at Fundays.
It's not too late to enroll in family member coverage! On Jan. 1, Health Special Risk (HSR) began offering family member coverage to all councils enrolled in the BSA Council Accident and Sickness Plan. This benefit provides coverage for individual family members (such as parents, legal guardians, grandparents, and/or siblings) of registered Scouts attending BSA-sponsored…
July is a fairly quiet month for a lot of troops. Troop meetings are more casual and often the schedule is scaled back. You may be camping, but the emphasis usually shifts to summer camp or high adventure. There are …
(The following article was written by Brad Kramer, an alumni of Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68. Brad was a member of the troop from 1995 to 1997. He earned the rank of Life Scout. It is the fourth of a series of guest articles written by former members of Troop 68.)
Bribe, borrow, beg - whatever it takes, you must get your hands on your son's copy of the July 2013 edition of Boys' Life magazine. For adult leaders, swiping the latest Boys' Life is a timeless tradition. But the newest issue has something you really can't miss.
Bicycle Rodeo Applause Posted in A Game with a PurposeA reader asked "Do you any applause that would work for the Bike Rodeo?" so here are an applause, a cheer, and a song you can use at your bicycle rodeo.
What separates a successful Boy Scout troop from a foundering one? The answer hasn't changed in a century. It's the patrol method, and it's been around since at least 1920 when Scouting founder Lord Baden-Powell explained it in his Aids to Scoutmastership (link opens PDF) .
Your newest BFF must be trustworthy. You know the United States Postal Services's unofficial motto: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." How did "…gloom of night …" make it on the list?
The BSA is now conducting online exit interviews with employees who decide to leave our organization. Exit interviews: Accelerate participating managers' understanding and experience of managing people and organizations. Help to support local councils' HR practices, including sourcing, recruiting, onboarding of new employees, and retention of existing employees.
This edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast features a discussion of the dreaded "Troop Program Death Spiral" (dramatic isn't it?) and an answer to a related email question. All this and your messages in the mailbag. Remember to have a look at Clarke's new book! Thoughts on Scouting Scoutmaster Podcast 176
There's a troop here that advertises itself as "The Oldest Troop In Eden Prairie". Well, as of June, Troop 911 can call itself "The NEWEST Troop In Eden Prairie" since our charter was just (finally) signed, accepted, authorized, officially endorsed, and all that.
I first became aware of World Scarf Day several years ago. It was just before the World Jamboree in Sweden. Since then, from what I have seen, it's been catching on slowly but surly within the USA. There is not much International Scouting that I have seen as compared to how the rest of
Well, it has been a while since I posted last, and if you don't mind, I will bore you with the "why" I have been off the blog grid for a while. As you all know, if you don't you must be new to the blog… and if you are..
Two new membership-related webinars have been posted to the "Webinars, Podcasts & Newsletters" page on scouting.org: Council Membership Plan Implementation Recruitment Best Practices and Resources These are ready to be viewed and used by council staff as well as volunteers on multiple levels.
Pack Meeting Ideas Posted in A Game with a PurposeIt's important not to keep repeating the same meetings with Cub Scouts over and over again. By the time they reach the end of their Cub Scouting career they will have been in your pack for over four years.
Two recent events prompted me to make a lightning safety infographic. Yesterday evening we held our Scout meeting at a park nearby during a powerful thunderstorm. We took shelter and played games for most of the hour and a half (this was one of our ‘summer sessions' and we usually play a bunch of games…
Here's more proof that in Scouting, we're all just one big family. Two weeks ago, I blogged about Lucky 13 , the group of Scouts from Troop 845 in Chapel Hill, N.C., who are riding their bikes across the U.S. to raise money for the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
A new website has been created to order new and replacement Eagle Scout credentials along with replacement award items for the George Meany Award, Vale la Pena Award, Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Award, and Wood Badge wallet card. Also, effective immediately, the fee for expedited shipping has been increased from $25 to $40.
One of the Leave No Trace principles to minimize impact is Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces . One of the ways to interpret this is to stay on trails when hiking. As you can see, that is a good idea not only to minimize impact but also to keep safe.
In addition to the functions currently available, did you know that as a unit and district Key 3, you also will be able to perform the following new tasks on the new MyScouting Tools? View, update and print training certificates for members of your unit or district – not just YPT.
Most Jamboree participants are probably packing the official 2013 Jamboree Duffels they received in the mail, right? Looks pretty cool, right? It is – all 110L of it. Not sure what to pack? Here's a list, with some suggested ScoutStuff gear: Sleeping Bag (lightweight in stuff sack, with 30-degree rating would be ideal) dining kit (think…
Summer Camp at Camp Gamble Posted in Aims of ScoutingIf you are looking for a summer camp for next year with plenty of activities for all of your Scouts, I highly recommend Camp Gamble. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting [ This is a content summary only.
(The following article was written by Mike Linnemann, an alumni of Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68. Mike was a member of the troop from 1997 to 2003. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout. It is the fifth of a series of guest articles written by former members of Troop 68.)
By now you've heard all about the "big things" you'll see at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree : the zip lines, the skate parks, the canopy tours, the shooting sports, the climbing walls, and on and on. Today, check out one example of a "little thing": the official jamboree food boxes.
If you're pumped about the 2013 National Scout Jamboree and all that action packed into the Summit but can't swing all 10 days of the event, head on over to VisitJambo.org to sign up for one-day or multi-day jamboree visitor passes.
TO ANYONE: I don't think it could get any hotter. I don't think it could rain any harder. TO THE CAMP DIRECTOR: Hey, can you turn on the air conditioning? Hey, can't you turn off the rain? TO THE SCOUTS: Does anybody feel homesick?
The Prince of Wales today launched a new campaign to double the number of young people volunteering in their local communities by 2020.
Camp Coker Pioneering Merit Badge Class: Single Trestle Bridge Over a Shallow Creek CLICK HERE FOR SINGLE TRESTLE BRIDGE PROCEDURE, MATERIALS, AND INFORMATION. Positioning the Trestle and Lashing both Walkway Underpars to the Trestle Transom Driving in the Pioneering Stakes / Lashing the Walkways to the Stakes Lashing the Handrails to the Trestle Legs Single Trestle…
As you are aware, the Boy Scouts of America is in the early phases of a transition to a new publishing model aimed at reducing costs, improving efficiencies, and offering users a wider range of content in a variety of formats.
Water Sports Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Posted in FitnessThe Water Sports merit badge focuses on water skiing. Boy Scouts will learn about safety and technique while working on this badge. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting [ This is a content summary only.
In this corner, we have modern-day Scouting, where technology enhances the delivery of the program in ways never thought possible. In the other corner, it's traditional Scouting, that rare respite from a young person's screen-based life one weekend each month.
Learn how to make armpit fudge. All of the kids will think you are so cool!.
Wow, first post back in a very very long time. Fittingly, it is about food! A couple of weekends ago, I went on a campout with Troop 18 (my son’s troop, where I am an Asst. Scoutmaster) to Put-in-Bay. We all agreed we wanted to spend as much time kayaking, fishing, going into town and…
Click to open July 1 issue The July 1 issue of the Finance Impact Department's e-Letter has been published and is available online. In this issue, read about the National Eagle Scout Association's new Legacy Society Fellowship, which will be unveiled at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree.
When your Scout or Scouter leaves home for the inaugural Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, they'll be ready for high adventure. But will they miss some of the creature comforts of home? If so, here's the answer: The Jambox, a BSA Survival Pack.
It is with great sadness we inform members that Chris Ide, Treasurer of The Scout Association, has died.
photo by G.W Sutcliffe, from the cover of the April 3, 1952 edition of The Scout . Note the broken stave in front of the last Scout
Learn engaging new marketing strategies to connect Scouting to the communities you serve at NextConnect '13 National Marketing Summits . Through a combination of industry experts and proven best practices within the Scouting family, you'll leave with an arsenal of new tools to connect with our target audiences.
Perhaps. But only if you ask. The team behind the Boy Scouts of America's No. 8 NASCAR, driven by Scott Lagasse Jr., will work with councils to plan car and driver appearances at Scout events. What Scout wouldn't love a chance to meet a professional race car driver and check out his ride?
BSA Tiger Supplemental Den Meeting Plan M – Family Mobile Posted in CultureFamilyBSA provides a set of Tiger den meeting plans for Cub Scout den leaders. There are 16 basic Tiger den meeting plans and then some additional supplemental Tiger den meeting ideas.
In addition to the program-oriented courses offered through MyScouting.org completing these six online training courses are a worthwhile way for any Scouter to improve their safety IQ. As a young Scoutmaster I was much more reluctant to have anyone impose any limitations on my Scouts.
Hygiene at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree is serious stuff. Meaning, no one would appreciate it if you skipped the showers. Keep in mind some basics about hygiene when putting together your gear for the jamboree and remember: a scout is clean.
Driven by an increased interest in career exploration at the middle school level, the national Exploring office has responded by creating new and innovative coeducational Middle School Explorer Club programs for students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. For more information on this exciting new program-including the August 1 opening date for registration-download the…
June 29th is International Mud Day . Who knew there was such a thing? It’s sponsored by the World Forum Foundation whose mission is “to promote an on-going global exchange of ideas on the delivery of quality services for young children in diverse settings.”
What are Scouting Skills? Can you throw some things in a pack, step off the road into the woods and live comfortably for a few days without getting lost? Can you build a fire, lash a tripod together, set up a shelter, cook your food, stay warm and dry and leave no trace of your…
A number of people follow ScoutmasterCG.com on Google Reader, and Google Reader will be discontinued in a day or two. If you haven't already found an alternative here's a good rundown of the other services available (after trying a few I've settled on Feedly ).
I am back in the scouting program once again and as the saying goes, "Once a Scout, always a Scout." Truth be told, I never really left the program but took some time to shed a few roles as a volunteer.
Camping with those that have some sort of food allergy is really no big deal provided you know that the offending food item triggers an allergic response. For me it's mustard and mustard products and the solution is simple: Don't bring anything into camp with that ingredient.
Youlbury Scout Activity Centre celebrates its centenary.
A cheerful hello to our WONDERFUL customers and Happy Summer to you all! Now that the warm weather is here to stay, it looks like more of you will be immersing yourselves in the great outdoors to experience new and exciting things.
