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Interpatrol FUN! New Market Ballista (top) Everyone on the Tripod (bottom) What makes a really good interpatrol competition? Depending on what’s involved, an interpatrol competition or challenge can be the highlight of the Scout meeting. Does it incorporate the use of relevant Scout skills?
I recently completed my first Scouting patch blanket. I have received several positive comments about it already. One Scouter even wrote to say he may start his own after seeing the pictures of mine. I say, go for it. It is a great way to display the patches collected through the years.
If your a frequent reader of this blog you will know that training is a common theme. I have written about training a lot. The Trained Leader logo is from a group called Scouting Graphics Corps. I put in a request for a logo with this idea and this is what they came up with.
As we prepare for this seasons winter camping schedule the first thing that we need to accomplish is some good training. Our Patrol Leaders Council has come up with a good plan to get the Scouts of the troop trained and ready for the January camp out which will take them up to Mt Hood…
Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting Reader Robin sent in this request: I am working on a project to help get our new moms more involved. I would like to hear from new moms or even those who have been in scouting for a while (and wish they had…
Back when most of us were teenagers, what we now know as "social media" consisted of long hours tying up the family telephone chatting with our friends, or perhaps time spent cruising the boulevards or at the town soda shop. …
Ahh, Cyber Monday. All the savings of Black Friday with none of the pushing and shoving. ScoutStuff.org is joining the Cyber Monday party by offering 25 percent off a bunch of its items and free shipping on orders of $75 or above.
These days you can't trust the driver in the next lane, the teenager swiping your credit card at the drive-thru or the stranger reading your Facebook and Twitter posts. So I'm grateful there's at least one group of people you still can trust: Scouts.
Scoutmaster Podcast 198 In this edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast we discuss balancing the role of Scouter and parent, blue cards, disruptive parents, and patrols in big troops . All this and your messages in the mailbag! Links The song Scout Boy at Amazon Be a ScoutmasterCG.com Backer Podcast Archive Scoutmaster Podcast 198
It's commonly known that, as Scouts, we rely on Boys' Life® to get the top news in Scouting and have fun doing it. But come the holiday season, BL really knows how to amp the fun factor. Their annual Holiday Gift Guide brings you the latest on what's hot and happening on the toy scene…
Happy Monday everyone! We hope you had a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend and kudos to those of you who braved the Black Friday madness. We have really enjoyed looking through all the fun pictures our customers sent in last month.
1st December has passed so it is OK to start thinking about Christmas & Christmas Presents. Here is a Laughably Bad Christmas Gifts Guide
BSA provides Webelos den meeting ideas for Cub Scout den leaders on the Scouting.org website. The tenth in the Arrow of Light series of Webelos den meeting plans covers making the arrows which represent everything the Webelos have achieved as Cub Scouts.
After loading them up with snacks and sugary drinks at the beginning of the meeting, it's no wonder your Cub Scouts are bouncing off the walls right when you want them to settle down for a serious activity. Boy Scouts, too, have endless energy, and getting them to focus on planning patrol menus for this…
Often when I hear people say: "When he was an Eagle Scout…" I stop and politely remind them that once you're an Eagle Scout, you are always an Eagle Scout. It's an honor that our Scouts work hard to achieve and helps set the tone for leadership and community volunteer spirit for the rest of…
Why is my basic Scout gear list boring? It's hard to get too excited by basic, durable, inexpensive gear that isn't glitzy or laden with gimmickry. Basic, boring gear works and keeps on working. With a couple of exceptions I have listed things I have owned and used for many years, sometimes for decades.
These are fun! A simple string of LED lights, white or colored, powered by three AA batteries…a great gift idea for Scouts of any age! I bought a set of lights called Twinklers back in 2005 from INKLING Lights. While that company doesn't produce these any more, Eagle's Nest Outfitters came out with a version…
December 2013 What a Scout Might Leave Out for Santa (and the reindeer) on Christmas Eve See all the TCDC Cartoons ( click here or banner below ) Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
Across the nation, when one mentions "Medal of Honor," our thoughts go immediately to those courageous members of our armed forces who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve our country and put others above themselves to help protect our freedom.
When preparing for winter camping or camping in colder temps than you are typically used to it is important to get your mind right. It is a must to have the right gear, train for the conditions and practice before venturing out into the cold.
Reader Carol sent in this question: I got on your website several weeks ago and followed a link to a website that had the idea of building a food pyramid on a piece of poster board and filling it in with colored flashcards of healthy and unhealthy food choices.
Courage. Sacrifice. Selflessness. Patriotism. Do those words describe an act of service performed by a Scout, Venturer or Scouter you know? Chances are, they do. And you'll need to act quickly to recognize this person by nominating him or her to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation's Citizen Honors awards.
What does the Patrol System look like? If there was one tangible thing that you could look at and tell how well a Patrol is working, what would it be? The Patrol Flag? The uniform? No, there is something even better that requires the personal initiative of the whole Patrol: The Patrol Den.
Last year our troop was trying to sell popcorn outside Wal-Mart at one entrance while Girl Scouts were selling trail mix or whatever at the other entrance”¦ this video is almost exactly what happened, word for word”¦ (Maybe I'm exaggerating, a little.)
Christmas at Philmont If you have been on a Philmont trek that included the northern and central portions of the ranch, then chances are good that you have hiked through Santa Claus Camp. The camp is located in Santa Claus Canyon, north of Bear Canyon and southeast of Head of Dean Camp.
Reader Amy sent in this question: My husband and I are the leaders of a Cub Scout pack. We plan to have a party before the winter break and wanted to get each boy a little gift. The problem is the pack doesn't have a lot of money (even spending $5 each is pushing it…
Here's a guest post featuring four great rediscovered games for Scouts from Enoch Heise. Enoch's blog Scouting Rediscovered should be on your reading list. Enoch has loads of enthusiasm and practical information on getting to the heart of Scouting from the perspective of a young (18 years old) Eagle Scout.
________________________________________ A Scout recently earned every merit badge Scouting has to offer. Here's the link… http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Some-upset-Boy-Scout-earns-all-merit-badges-of-scouting-232276831.html#.UorHQPOWcPw.email It's interesting that this clip talks about some folks not "approving" of this-as if their lame-brained opinion had any weight or merit. To Scout Carter, GREAT GOING!
One of the things we are doing a bit different this year at the monthly Scenic District Boy Scout roundtable meetings is to break up the meeting, near the half way point, with a game, song, or skit. The goal is to introduce a new game or teach a new song or skit to troop…
Nelson Mandela,first democratically elected president of South Africa and patron of Scouts South Africa died at his home in Johannesburg last night. " The international Scout movement is a world leader in youth education, and has particular relevance to the needs of youth in Africa and the emerging democracies around the globe.
The Summit has taken the best of rock climbing in the New River Gorge in West Virginia and, with the help of Eldorado Climbing Walls , brought it onsite to create a climbing haven. Introductory climbs? You bet. Challenging climbs? Got ‘em.
At the Boy Scouts of America, we are always looking ahead for new innovations and ideas to provide a quality Scouting experience for our young people. But I am always fascinated by accounts I read about Scouts or leaders from decades ago who share how Scouting's values helped to carry them through life, much like…
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 learn about colors and communicating through art. This plan covers part of Make a freehand sketch of a person place, or thing.
Santa Scout Shop event is exclusive to participating National Scout Shops. December 7 only! *Patches will be available while quantities last, so come early! Cub Scouts must be accompanie d by an adult. Stocking giveaway offer is valid during this one-day event only.
The international Scout movement is a world leader in youth education, and has particular relevance to the needs of youth in Africa and the emerging democracies around the globe. I am pleased with the progress of Scouting in South Africa, and in the steps which are now being taken to make the programme accessible to…
I screwed up. I took out all my Scouting Village pieces this afternoon to set them up for Christmas. I was kind of excited because not only was I able to get all of this year's pieces but my local Scout Shop was able to find the piece I missed from last year, the lighted…
It is finished. I have set up my Scouting Village for the 2013 Christmas season. What do you think of it? The village fills a 2.5 foor by 3.5 foot sheet of plywood. It contains the 2012 and 2013 collection pieces.
These great books for Scouters have taught me practical skills, history, outdoor lore, and inspiration that has enabled me to become a better Scout leader. Outdoor Adventure Manual Published by Scouts UK with a forward by Bear Grylls The Outdoor Adventure Manual is packed with practical Scout skill tutorials ; tents and camping, fire, food and…
Reader Teresa asked this question about making a service hours form: We are thinking of creating a form to use for service hours, any suggestions on what should be on there? It depends on the purpose of the form. If it is for the use of individual scouts who are keeping track of hours for…
What if the coach of a basketball team let eight or nine players play at a time? Or let them shoot into both baskets? Have you ever seen a baseball game where the batter could swing at as many pitches …
In reflecting on Nelson Mandela's passing last week, I thought about his commitment to peace for the people of South Africa and especially the youth of his nation. Photo courtesy of CNN.com Think of the challenges he faced during his lifetime to meet that commitment.
Eagle Scout Austin Collie started his career with the Indianapolis Colts and now plays for the New England Patriots. Everyone's talking about yesterday's snow-covered NFL games today, but here's a story to make Scouts and Scouters smile - regardless of how their favorite team fared.
Finally, a reason for rubbernecking you can feel good about. Drivers in Kansas City this year have seen a series of Boy Scout billboards that rise far above those for gas stations, hotels or concerts. The billboards target new Scouts and their parents by sharing facts about Eagle Scouts, such as they're "76 percent more…
Happy Holidays from the Cub Scout Ideas family! These always make me literally LOL!
Scoutmaster Podcast 199 In this edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast we have a tribute to Nelson Mandela, we discuss where merit badges fit into the program, youth perspective,and boards of review. All this and your messages in the mailbag! Links Be a ScoutmasterCG.com Backer Keep up with the podcast and blog on any mobile device!
3-2-1 Anchor This is the eighth post in a series that will eventually comprise an activity-based, unit pioneering program curriculum. VIII. For a wide range of pioneering structures, anchors are crucial to their stability and safety. When nature doesn’t furnish natural anchors as in trees or boulders in just the right location, it becomes necessary…
The Making a Film skit is one of the most versatile skits in a Scout's arsenal. It can be adjusted to any theme or holiday. I'm giving a description rather than a script for this one because it is different every time I see it.
When Cubmaster Lee inherited the position earlier this year, he was pumped to make an even bigger difference in the lives of youth. That is, until he saw the shape of his pack's advancement and award collection. "I inherited multiple plastic bags full of belt loops and pins in no particular order," he writes.
The BSA has mo re than 200 trails that have been approved for our Scouting units and their members to use. However, due to council mergers and other changes, our records on these trails are outdated and we need the input of all councils to ensure we have complete and accurate information to share.
________________________________________ Dear Andy, I recently attended our council's annual Eagle Scout recognition dinner-a very nice, semi-formal event to recognize this year's "class" of Eagle Scouts, their parents and Scoutmasters. It's also a big fund-raiser for the council. As an Eagle Scout from this council, I attend most every year to connect with Scouting friends and help…
Ever wonder how the BSA's Universal Emblem came about? Every Scout knows what the image evokes within him or her, but learning the emblem's history takes its meaning that much deeper. The Vision -At the very inception of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell had already envisioned the fleur-de-lis as part of his vision for a Scout badge…
Do your Youth Protection Training online, they tell us. Take your position specific training through the website, the council promotes. You should be doing your troop advancement through the internet, not through paperwork, I am told. How the hell am I suppose to do anything online through MyScouting.org when the website does not even recognize…
Earlier this year, we launched an online version of Trailblazers, a digest of BSA staff changes, including recent hires and promotions. The page is updated weekly and can be accessed via the Trailblazers link at the top of the Scout Wire home page or at http://www.scout-wire.org/trailblazers .
Reader Jes asked Do you happen to have an award check list like your Merit Badges? I love your format and would love to either have or put together a template. Jes, I do not have one, but you could certainly create your own using a program such as Word or Excel.
Well, as promised.. there are going to be changes coming to the blog and the You Tube channel. Yes, I am going to fully launch the You Tube channel as an extension of the blog. Sort of like the podcast was.
There he is, waiting for our reply; how do we respond to a Scout who want's to quit? Not every boy is going to maintain an active interest in Scouts, it doesn't automatically mean that anything is wrong with them, the program, or ourselves.
As 2013 comes to a close, I'd like to take a moment to thank each of our employees and volunteers for their perseverance and hard work during one of our most exciting – and challenging – years. Together, along with our chartered organizations, we worked each day to truly demonstrate the Scout Oath and Law.
New Dessert Recipe for Boy Scouts
Click the image to view e-Letter The December 15 edition of the Finance Impact Department's e-Letter has been published and is now available online. In the Dec. 15 issue, the last of 2013, you'll find information about a timeframe for regularly scheduled maintenance for PeopleSoft Financials, during which users may expect some down time.
This Saturday will mark the one-year anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. While deeply saddened to remember the victims of this senseless act, I'm inspired by the request made by the victims' families at a recent press conference : perform an act of kindness so "that some small measure of…
A couple of years ago, two executives from the BSA's Center for Professional Development were discussing the nine stages of team development. One of the executives had recently returned from a local council where he had presented the topic. When asked to name the nine steps in team development taught at CPD, he responded, "I…
Boy Scouts can learn all about mammals while working on the Mammal Study merit badge . This is one our Boy Scouts often earn at summer camp. A mammal may weigh as little as 1/12 ounce, as do some shrews, or as much as 150 tons, like the blue whale.
Tomorrow's release of Saving Mr. Banks , which spotlights Walt Disney's efforts to acquire the rights to Mary Poppins , got me thinking about a Walt Disney film released two years later. Follow Me, Boys! is Disney's tribute to the Boy Scouts of America, and nearly five decades after its release, it's the only major motion picture…
The December 2013 CubCast highlights "Good Turns and Your Chartered Organization." Whether a school, church, or fraternal organization, we're sure your chartered organization is planning some kind of event or two for the holidays. Maybe it's a food or clothing drive or maybe it's a spaghetti dinner fundraiser.
New Dutch Oven Recipe for Boy Scouts
New Dutch Oven Recipe for Boy Scouts
New Lunch Recipe for Boy Scouts
This technique for measuring the height of an object is an old one- there is a very similar drawing in Scouting For Boys . In principle, it is very simple: by measuring the distance on the ground, we can calculate the height of the tree by comparing it to the height measured on a stave.
Click image to view message The BSA's top three professional and volunteer leaders have created a special holiday greeting .
New Dutch Oven Recipe for Boy Scouts
New Dutch Oven Recipe for Boy Scouts
BSA 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 this den meeting plan, the Tiger Cub Scouts visit a dentist for Visit a dentist or dental hygienist."
Scouts measure height for First Class rank: First Class Requirement 2 Using a map and compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least one mile and requires measuring the height and/or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.).
Some of my favorite Scouting memories are from my trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. I have been lucky enough to attend Philmont six times: once for scoutmaster training and five times on a trek with the Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68.
The Boy Scouts of America has appointed Gary Butler to serve as deputy Chief Scout Executive and chief operating officer of the organization effective January 1, 2014. Butler is currently assistant Chief Scout Executive for operations of the Boy Scouts of America.
Getting those Hand and Foot Ropes Nice and Tight! This is the seventh post in a series that will eventually comprise an activity-based, unit pioneering program curriculum. VII. The rope tackle is a major player when there’s a need to add guy lines to stabilize a pioneering structure, or to increase the torque on a…
You are not supposed to be reading this post! Instead of this post, you should be reading a long and thoroughly exposited post about why long-term thinking is important in a Scout Troop. However, after I got gotten it all outlined and was a good 500 words into it, I sat back, not at all…
I am sure that I have said this before in the blog, and I know this to have some truth as I have often experienced that there are themes that seem to crop up from time to time in our lives.
We often talk about the general rule of thumb that the pack weight should not exceed 25% of the person's body weight. This is a nice rule, but not stead fast in its application. A 90 lb Scout is limited to 22 and half pounds.
Much like camping in fair conditions there are principles that should be followed when winter camping site selection. First plan ahead. Know where you are going and try to get there with enough daylight to relax and set up camp.
My basic boring gear list and book list showcase items more useful, perhaps than this simple holiday wish list, but these items have attracted my magpie-like attention for shiny, quirky and gadgety things. Whittling Whittling and carving is a favorite pastime, having a good knife and some idea of what to whittle makes it even…
Reader Beth asked Should I do a Broken Arrow Ceremony for boys who have just come into Scouting in Webelos 1? I did one when the other boys earned the Bear in the Spring, but now I have 3 new boys.
There are two basic definitions of the term committee. One, a legal definition, refers to someone who has been placed in the charge of another person by reason of insanity. While Scouting can sometimes drive us to the brink, or so …
I was looking for a way to further excite the Boy Scouts of Troop 68 to attend troop activities and earn their advancement when I came up with the idea of having a troop auction for prizes at the end of the year.
If you don't know George Rodrigue by name, you certainly know his work. You've probably seen his iconic, whimsical Blue Dog paintings, and if you have, they've probably brightened your day. But today I want to remember George, who died Saturday at age 69, for something many who knew his work didn't know about the…
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers Scoutmaster Podcast 200 Thanks to our Backers we made it to 200 podcasts! In this podcast we discuss Scouts who want to quit, changes to Eagle Required Merit Badges, positions of responsibility, new memebership standards, and teh Scout of the year.
BSA offers supplemental pack program ideas for each month. One theme for the January core value of The January Pack Meeting Tips from BSA remind us "As boys participate in various activities, they will come to understand that all things change and they can make a difference in how that change affects their lives.
The 2001 National Jamboree may be ancient history to today's Boy Scouts but it is not to me. Not yet anyway. That is the Jamboree I attended as a scoutmaster of one of two troops sent from the Central Minnesota Council.
The Order of the Arrow is not a secret society, but in some troops it might as well be. These troops go through the first steps of getting Scouts elected into Scouting's national honor society and through their Ordeal. But after that, these new Arrowmen become ghosts, never seen at a lodge meeting, dance event…
The Boy Scout Planning Guide suggests a Wilderness Survival Program Feature for January 2014. This wilderness survival program feature offers the opportunity to plan a month's worth of troop activities with a focus on outdoor skills and survival techniques. The plans for the Wilderness Survival troop program feature can be found in Volume 3 of…
Near the end of this month's Scenic District roundtable meeting I asked the Scouters if many of them had any of the digital copies of the old Boy Scout themed novels written in the early 1900′s. I had noticed that many of the Scouters owned smart phones and tablets and that they used these during…
Every Scouter has been there. You've been there, and so have I. Your fellow Scouter, a parent, or Scout has a question. You think you know the answer. After telling them what you think there's a little shadow of doubt in your mind;"did I get that right?".
The sound of the kitchen timer can only mean one thing: The new Cooking merit badge requirements are done. For the new Cooking merit badge, which becomes Eagle-required on Jan. 1, 2014, Scouts will prepare meals using the MyPlate food guide, understand and explain food allergies, and learn about cooking food indoors.
In the spirit of this 2013 holiday season, we wanted to take this opportunity to share our thanks and thoughts as we look ahead to a new year. We hope that all of you will have a safe and restful holiday blessed with memories of time with family and friends.
New Dutch Oven Recipe for Boy Scouts
Thermometer or Thermostat which are you? I had a lengthy discussion the other day with a hand full of Scouts. We were talking about the way that if you want to, you can set the conditions in your life that will allow you to have the life that you want.
Boy Scouts learn about reaching for the stars when they work on the requirements for the Space Exploration merit badge . Space is mysterious. We explore space for many reasons, not least because we don't know what is out there, it is vast, and humans are full of curiosity.
Here's a Cooking Merit Badge infographic that you may find helpful: Download a printable PDF of the Cooking Merit Badge Infographic The Facts: As of January 1, 2014 Cooking Merit badge is required for Eagle. A new set of requirements have been published and new book will be available in January.
Merry Christmas to all readers who celebrate next week. Here's a pioneered reindeer that might decorate your Scout hall grounds
