KNOTS Scout Cartoon for March (opens in a new tab)
March 2014 Scout Weather Balloon Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
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March 2014
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Posts in March 2014
Instagram Digest (opens in a new tab)
A collection of Kiff's Instagram Photos for you to enjoy TTFN Kiff ©ChrisMeadows2014 Hello …
Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words CAN hurt too. (opens in a new tab)
I want to share a story about the power of words. At the place where I work, we all get paid by direct deposit. What that means is that the company we work for submits all of our hours worked to another company who processes and puts our salaries directly into our bank accounts.
JTE Saves a Unit
I got this from an online forum that I read. It talks about how Journey to Excellence saved the Cub Scout Pack. Read what this Adult Volunteer did. He took this as his list and made a target. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I know Journey to Excellence is often maligned here, but I think it's really great.
February 2014 Customer Photos! (opens in a new tab)
February was a bit chilly for many states but that didn't keep you from having fun in the great in doors! Troops, crews and packs all over met, raced and even camped – yes, camped. It's been a real treat to see what you've been up to and we especially enjoy the clever things you do…
Patrol Teamwork Part 3 – The Gear Guy (opens in a new tab)
My first leadership position was Troop Quartermaster. Cleaning our Troop trailer and organizing all our gear was no easy task; things were a real mess and it took hours! It paid off, though; it was amazing how much easier we could find what we needed.
Action Required (opens in a new tab)
When we teach leadership to our Scouts the best way to demonstrate that leadership is to be an example of expected behavior. We show them how to lead by being good examples. And we expect the youth leadership to follow suit.
How to be a better Scouter (opens in a new tab)
It goes without saying that every Scouter is in on the mission of Scouting to provide and support an excellent program for our boys. We're looking for ways to better relate to the Scouts and our fellow Scouters. In what's …
Pinewood Derby Races 2014 (opens in a new tab)
Guess what. It is time for the Pinewood Derby! Has there ever been a more powerful comment that causes so much excitement for a Cub Scout and also creates a higher stress level for his father or mother? Cub Scout Pack 68 of Melrose, Minnesota, held its Pinewood Derby on Tuesday, February 25.
Gear Tip – Wet Fire ™ (opens in a new tab)
Ok… all of this talk about being lazy.. and it caught me. Not really. I wanted to get a Saturday Quick tip out this week but once again my Scouting life got in the way of the blog. Saturday, I was at a Staff Development session for the upcoming Wood Badge course.
Cub Scout Badges and Awards (opens in a new tab)
Kristy sent in this question: Hi my name is Kristy and I am brand new to the scouting world and I am a den leader for wolf. I am wondering how the boys earn belt loops badges etc I am lost and the other leaders confuse me more.
BSA health forms, now as easy as A, B, C (opens in a new tab)
Deciding which version of the BSA's Annual Health and Medical Record you need shouldn't raise your blood pressure. And starting today, you're getting a streamlined version of the BSA health forms and an easier-to-use website to accompany them. The site is the result of several BSA teams (professionals and volunteers) joining forces to make this…
Councils Merge to Form Coastal Georgia Council
Councils in Waycross and Savannah, Georgia, have approved the merger of the two councils to form the Coastal Georgia Council No. 99, effective March 1, 2014. The new council will be located in Savannah with the same contact information as before. The Coastal Georgia Council will be in Area 9 of the Southern Region.
Scoutmaster Podcast 211
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers This podcast features our next installment of The Colorado Experiment, an interview with Arlen Ward; a new Scoutmaster with a new troop on the verge of celebrating their first anniversary. All this and your messages in the mailbag. Listen to Scoutmaster Podcast 211 Podcast Archive
Cub Scouts and Our National Anthem (opens in a new tab)
Learning about and singing our National Anthem is a great experience for our Cub Scouts!
Join Transatlantic Council Scouts to Save the D-Day Beaches
(Adapted from Scouting magazine's "Bryan on Scouting" blog) Love of country and reverence for our nation's heroes are staples of the Boy Scouts of America. So it should come as no surprise that BSA Scouts and Scouters are leading efforts to preserve the beaches at Normandy, where allied forces made landfall on D-Day.
Roundtable DVD Giveaway (opens in a new tab)
For the last 15 or 20 years I have been collecting videos of Scouting commercials and promotional films. I have a few dozen of them. Some of them are very good. Several not so much. A few are just plain weird.
Blogging – #30daychallenge (opens in a new tab)
So 2008 till 2014 that mean I have been blogging 6 years, or 8 years if you count the two in my previous ISP space.
Programming Merit Badge (opens in a new tab)
As a software developer, I was really excited to see the Programming merit badge for Boy Scouts introduced. Today's youth are more and more connected via technology. Understanding programming will help them understand how to use that technology safely and effectively.
Follow-up – Early Education
A few weeks ago, I shared my thoughts on early education information that was discussed during President Obama's State of the Union address. As a follow-up to that conversation, I found an interesting op-ed from a Deborah Lowe Vandell, founding Dean of the School of Education at the University of California-Irvine, who shared findings from…
Here are the most- and least-popular merit badges of 2013 and of all time (opens in a new tab)
The reign of First Aid merit badge continues. More Boy Scouts earned this Eagle-required merit badge in 2013 than any other. And it wasn't event close. Not only was it the most-earned merit badge in 2013, it also topped the list in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 … you get the idea.
SCOUTStrong Joins Forces With USA Triathlon to Promote Active Lifestyle
The BSA has formed an alliance with USA Triathlon to promote healthy, active lifestyles through the organization's Splash and Dash Youth Aquathlon Series. Fifty swim-run events from across the United States comprise the third annual Splash and Dash Youth Aquathlon Series, which runs from March through November 2014.
Meet the Coywolf (opens in a new tab)
Michael Smith shared this coywolf infographic with me on Google plus. The coywolf is a remarkable new hybrid mix of western coyote and eastern wolf. The coywolf's range is growing and they are thriving in urban and suburban areas. It's thought this new hybrid species first appeared early in the last century in Ontario, Canada's…
Star, Life, and Eagle- Service (opens in a new tab)
Once a Scout has completed all of the requirements and has achieved the rank of First Class, he can be expected to know all of those skills that make a good Scout. Camping, First Aid, Citizenship, and living the Scout Oath and Law.
How much is a District Executive worth? (opens in a new tab)
I was browsing a job board over the weekend for Director-level positions in my field (not Scout-related) and stumbled upon this posting for a District Executive in my area: District Executive Boy Scouts of America – Ogden, UT The District Executive selected will: Work with a volunteer board of directors and other community and business leaders…
Marketing Awards Entry Period Closes March 17
Has your council developed a great brochure or a killer social media campaign? Does the Annual Report or All Markets material look better than it has in years? Now's your chance to be recognized! The entry period for the 16th Annual National President's Awards for Marketing Excellence closes on Monday, March 17 .
This is what all the coolest Iditarod dogs are wearing this season
What's that around the neck of those dogs running the Iditarod, the long-distance sled race held in Alaska each March? It's Eagle Scout neckerchiefs, of course. The dogs, photographed during last year's race, are led by Justin Savidis, a former district executive in the Great Alaska Council.
Flag Retirement and Grommets (opens in a new tab)
Cindy sent in this question: I would like to make a key chain or slide for the boys in our troop who participated in a recent flag retirement ceremony from the grommets that were left after the flags were burned.
Citizen Science For Scouts
Scouts can join scientific collaborations in nearly any field of study through an amazing number of citizen science opportunities. Citizen science projects can make for engaging patrol or troop activities, and may even tie into merit badges Scouts are working on individually (they should make their counsellor aware of these opportunities).
Nine of Scouting's Finest Deliver 2013 Report to the Nation
Did you know that Scouts camped a total of 6,093,410 nights during 2013? Or that Scouts across America recorded 17,042,938 hours of service to their communities last year? These are just two of the facts compiled in the 2013 Report to the Nation, which was delivered to members of Congress and other government leaders in…
The Summit looks beautiful under a blanket of snow and ice
Start a fire or grab a blanket before viewing these stunning new images of the Summit Bechtel Reserve in winter. The fields where 30,000 jamboree participants camped seven months ago are now coated with snow. Lakes where Scouts and Venturers tried paddleboarding , dragon boats and "Water Reality" last July are iced over.
Issue 387 – March 5, 2014 (opens in a new tab)
________________________________________ Dear Andy, Our troop will be going in a high-adventure kayaking trip on the Colorado River. One of the parents in our troop would like to bring his ten year-old daughter along. What's the BSA policy on siblings attending high-adventure trips like this?
Register Now for the All Markets Strategy Summit – May 20
Perhaps the most critical factor to Scouting's future success is the ability to engage underserved segments of the U.S. population. In each community, there are youth from many cultures not currently served by Scouting. We must change that. Families- all families-need Scouting more than ever before.
Teaching Winter camping Skills- Revisited (opens in a new tab)
As most of the country is still experiencing Winter conditions and here in the Northwest, the Winter Camping season is really in full bloom, as late as it is, there are still Troops and Crews that are venturing into the woods for some good winter camping.
Do you have any regrets – #30daychallenge (opens in a new tab)
I try to live life with out to many regrets, they can tend to weigh you down if you collect them.
Teaching Winter camping Skills- Revisited (opens in a new tab)
Originally posted on The Scoutmaster Minute : As most of the country is still experiencing Winter conditions and here in the Northwest, the Winter Camping season is really in full bloom, as late as it is, there are still Troops and Crews that are venturing into the woods for some good winter camping. I thought I…
Backpacking Troop Program Feature (opens in a new tab)
This backpacking program feature offers the opportunity to learn more about hiking and low impact camping. A Boy Scout troop PLC can plan a whole month of activities incorporating a backpacking theme. The plans for the Backpacking troop program feature can be found in Volume 1 of Troop Program Features from BSA: Backpacking can be…
Program Updates: What's Changing? What Isn't?
There has been a lot of "buzz" recently about upcoming program changes, particularly to the Cub Scout program. In this episode of The Buzz , tune in to hear Russ Hunsaker, chairman of the Program Innovation Task Force, discuss what is-and what is NOT-changing across our program offerings.
14 fascinating facts about Scouting in Alaska in the 1950s and 1960s
Amid the furor of adding a new star to the flag," the BSA professional wrote, "people want to know what Alaska is like, and Scouters are asking about Scouting in Alaska." For those of us who have never visited the state, Alaska is still a largely unknown frontier.
Patrol Teamwork Part 4 – The Information Specialist
I wish my Patrol had kept good records when I was a Patrol Leader. I didn't think it was all that important at the time, but I know better now. I did buy a little notebook and tried to keep it up to date, but I was so busy that I forgot to write stuff…
ON THE SET with BSA
Are those real Boy Scouts?" Have you ever wondered if the Scouts featured in BSA mailers are "real" Scouts, or models? When it comes to our new 2014 Spring mailer (headed to your mailbox soon), the answer is "Yes, they're real!"
A true leader knows how to wear many hats
Many of us have tremendous demands on our time and often find it difficult to have enough hours in the day to balance our family/work/leisure activities, myself included. That's why I want to share this refreshing story about a Scout leader who combines her love for horses and children with her commitment to Scouting and…
Scout Night with the Utah Grizzlies (opens in a new tab)
Growing up in Chicago and being a hockey player myself, I love watching the Blackhawks and have lots of memories going to games in the old Chicago Stadium. Now that I live in Utah, the closest professional hockey I can get (without traveling to Denver, Phoenix, LA or even back home) is with the Utah…
Arrowe Park Bridge by First Benoni Rovers (opens in a new tab)
The Rover Crew of 1st Benoni Sea Scouts , the Puddle Pirates, built this bridge/gateway for the East Rand District BP Sunday Parade at Arrowe Park . It is modelled after the chapel at Arrowe Park, which is also the emblem of the East Rand District .
BSA Bear Supplemental Den Meeting Plan P – Family Fun
BSA provides Bear den meeting ideas for den leaders on the Scouting.org website. These Cub Scout Bear den meeting plans are step by step guides to carrying out a den meeting. In addition to the basic den meeting plans, there are supplemental plans which can be used if you have additional meetings left.
2013 Eagles: Don't miss your chance to be in the 'Eagle Scout Yearbook' (opens in a new tab)
Yearbooks are priceless windows into the past, and the Eagle Scout Yearbook, Class of 2013 will be no exception. To make it happen, though, the National Eagle Scout Association needs your help to fill the yearbook's pages with the stories of the 56,841 young men who earned Eagle last year.
Seriously cool: Kansas Eagle Scout leaves for Antarctica today
Alex, you're not in Kansas anymore. Alex Houston, an Eagle Scout from Lawrence, Kan., is leaving today on an international expedition to Antarctica. He was selected from among several Eagle Scout applicants to represent the BSA on this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
ClassB receives SHARP award from OSHA! (opens in a new tab)
On Wednesday, March 5th, ClassB employees gathered in the production facility for a special recognition ceremony. An OSHA representative presented ClassB Safety Committee members with a SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) certificate and flag. There are currently only two other SHARP businesses in Tampa, of the forty-three total in the state of Florida.
Patrol Teamwork Part 5 – Patrol Burglar?
In"The Hobbit" the company of Dwarves decides that they need a ‘burglar'. The burglar would be the company's eyes and ears: scouting out locations along the way. A t the recommendation of the wizard Gandalf the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins was chosen to be the burglar.
Who Is Your Favorite Boy's Life Character? (opens in a new tab)
I would guess that most Cub Scouts and many Boy Scouts receive the monthly Boy's Life magazine so they are probably familiar with the cartoon characters found within its pages. But which character is the most popular? Is it Pedro, the burro?
Patrol Teamwork Part 6 – The Patrol Fingerprint
Look at your hands right now! Even if you haven't earned Fingerprinting Merit Badge you know everyone on the face of the earth, even identical twins, have a unique fingerprint unlike anyone else's. Now think about your Patrol. Every Patrol has its own unique "fingerprint".
Snow caving on Mt Hood
This weekend was Elliot's first outing with Troop 150. It was their annual Snow caving overnight on Mt Hood. I can tell you that I was nervous. While I knew the Troop has done this for years, and our Webelos II at that time did it last year, I will still nervous. I did not
Firm Bound in Brotherhood…
This weekend was spent rekindling the fire of the Order of the Arrow in me. I attended our Lodges annual gathering called Rendezvous. Our Lodge hosts three major events each year. The Native American Arts and Ceremonies Seminar, The Rendezvous of the Order, and The Leadership Development Conference.
"And," not "or"
We're into the time when our Webelos brethren have made or are making the decision about continuing on in Boy Scouting. There's always a range of interest levels among our incoming Scouts. In my experience, about half are coming over …
Ask the Expert: What if my Scout can't complete the First Class swim test?
Forget about cooking, lashing or orienteering. For three Scouts in Jeff's troop, the toughest of any of the 14 requirements for First Class is 9B: the swim test. The three boys have a fear of jumping into water over their heads, and the Scoutmaster from Kentucky is worried it will prevent them from advancing past…
Who Can Earn Belt Loops
Auntie Scout sent in this question: Can grade 2 children (He's currently earning his Wolf Badge) earn Belt Loops? Can he earn the Pet Care belt loop if he hasn't fulfilled all the Wolf achievements? Any Cub Scout can work on the belt loops and pins in the Academics and Sports program at any time.
An Eagle Scout in Antarctica: Days 1 & 2
Well, he made it. After enduring the 30-hour, 6,680-mile, three-flight trip from Lawrence, Kan., to Ushuaia, Argentina, Eagle Scout Alex Houston already has plenty of stories to tell. I introduced you to Alex last week. He's the Eagle Scout selected to join an expedition called 2041 that will explore the Antarctic Peninsula to research its…
A Scoutmaster's Story
I think many of us have a special memory of a Scout that we brought along the trail who didn't really get off to a great start, but later really touched our hearts and minds. Here is such a story , as told by Chicago area Scoutmaster Jack Herman recently to the Chicago Reader: Scoutmaster Jack…
5 Reason's I Hammock Camp (opens in a new tab)
This last weekend I got to hang out with some great Scouters at our Lodge's Rendezvous. A few years back a few of the guys became interested in my hammock set up, which I use every camp out. Slowly the interest became more hammock campers.
How to Make a Terrarium Out of a Soda Bottle (opens in a new tab)
Every rank in Cub Scouting has the boys planting seeds. Check out this fun terrarium project that is first in a series of articles about cool ways to plant seeds.
Scoutmaster Podcast 212
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers In this podcast I catch up on a number of email questions that have accumulated over the past few weeks. Do Scouts need contracts? What's the ideal Troop Size? How do we resolve problems between brothers?
A Resurgence of Traditional Scout Skills in the BSA (opens in a new tab)
I maintain, the MAJORITY of today’s Scouts love the kind of woodsy activities that provide old-fashioned, outdoor fun that’s involving and challenging. I further maintain MOST members of our organization feel camping and backpacking in the great outdoors are Scouting’s MAIN attraction.
Ask the Expert: Is the American flag 'backward' on Scout uniforms?
If you look at the right sleeve of a Boy Scout and of a U.S. soldier, you'll see American flags on both. But there's one big difference. While the Boy Scout's flag has the blue field of stars at the top left, the soldier's flag is a reverse-field flag; the field of stars is at…
Mining in Society Merit Badge
We use the materials obtained by mining everyday. We find them in the pots and pans we use to cook breakfast, the toothpaste we put on our toothbrushes, the pencils we write with, our electronic devices, our automobiles, and all throughout our homes.
Issue 388 – March 11, 2014 (opens in a new tab)
________________________________________ Serving over 30,000 youth across 22 counties, the GREATER ALABAMA COUNCIL is one of the largest in the U.S. Their UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING this past Saturday, with some 300 wonderful Scouters and youth members participating on a delightful sunny and warm day, was a highlight for all…especially me!
Children and Hiking: Fun Games (opens in a new tab)
Make hiking fun for your Cub Scouts with one of these neat ideas.
Ask the Expert: Is the American flag 'backward' on Scout uniforms?
Scoutmaster Jerry : A good look at our Flag and some thoughts on why the Boy Scouts of America and the United States Military (Army in particular) wear the flag of our Nation. Originally posted on Bryan on Scouting : If you look at the right sleeve of a Boy Scout and of a U.S.
April Cub Scout Theme – Soaring the Skies (Faith)
BSA offers supplemental pack program ideas for each month. One theme for the April core value of The April Pack Meeting Tips from BSA remind us "Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, believed that reverence and duty to God should be an important part of the Scouting movement, and for every Scout and Scouter.
Adopt a Highway and Scouting: How to do it right and stay safe
Congratulations on the newest addition to your Scouting family! This new member is two miles long, four lanes wide and could use a little TLC. Scout units that participate in their state's Adopt-a-Highway program have found a public way to give back to the community.
The STEM Push
The other night I held a couple Scoutmaster Conferences, both for Scouts earning the Star Rank and both of the Scouts good young men. During our discussion the subject of merit badges came up as you need them for the Star, Life, and Eagle ranks.
Interpreting 'under the auspices' in National Outdoor Awards requirements (opens in a new tab)
Two perfectly reasonable people can read the same phrase and have drastically different interpretations. Just ask the U.S. Supreme Court. That happened recently in a troop in eastern Washington. The phrase in question relates to the National Outdoor Awards, and a Scouter contacted me looking for guidance.
Into the Wilderness Part 1 – Spectatoritis (opens in a new tab)
I never thought I could enjoy a view as much as I did that day! My Patrol and I had just hiked to the top of the tallest mountain in Oklahoma. It wasn't super tall compared to Colorado standards, but coming from North Texas, it was the tallest I had ever seen!
Popcorn Fun for Cub Scout Meetings (opens in a new tab)
Have you ever thought about using popcorn as a den or pack meeting theme? Check out these ideas!
Cooking Merit Badge (opens in a new tab)
New Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
Cloverleaf lashing video (opens in a new tab)
Ploeg Technieken in Belgium originated the clover-leaf lashing . I've written before about using supporting jigs to hold the poles in place , but Ploeg Technieken have a YouTube channel that has this excellent video showing how it's done. The captions won't help if you don't speak Flemish (or Dutch, or Afrikaans) but the video is fairly…
Going Camping
Heading out into the woods this weekend with the Troop. New Scout Patrol will be stepping off on the Trail to First Class, but not until after a fun morning on the range shooting Shot Guns. Then the older guys will get to shoot all afternoon, but not until they develop some leadership skills in…
BSA Wolf Supplemental Den Meeting Plan O – Say It Right (opens in a new tab)
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 language and storytelling to fulfill some requirements from Say "hello" in a language other than English.
Into the Wilderness Part 2 – Challenge Accepted!
I clearly remember one early camping trip I went on in the middle of winter. We got into camp after dark and everyone hurried to set up their gear as the cold chilled our fingers to the bone. I was ill-prepared for the cold weather in both clothes and sleeping gear.
Helping Boys Grow
When I see a headline like this: "The importance of the Boy Scouts in America" – I can't help but stop and give that article a read – in this case, a column that ran recently in the Niagara Gazette . Okay, as Chief Scout Executive, I'm admittedly biased.
Which side does the American flag go on when marching or at ceremonies?
The American flag isn't rare, and it's not made of precious materials. You can buy a nice one for $10. But still we treat it with reverence and care normally reserved for historic artifacts or priceless works of art. We make sure it's properly displayed, we fold it neatly and we never let it touch…
Into the Wilderness Part 3 – Trial by Fire
Texas isn't known for cold weather like I described in the last post! It's known for the heat! I remember vividly the hottest camping trip I've ever been on! It was a summer camp a few years ago; the humidity was high and the temperature was over 100 degrees all week long!
Why?
There is a lot to say about Leadership. What it is, how to get it, how to learn it and how to do it. Within the world of Scouting there are a lot of classes. Wood Badge for the Adults and NYLT for the Youth. "The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to
Pack Annual Planning
I just sent this out to my District's Cub Scout Pack Key 3. It is about April's Cub Scout Roundtable Breakout Meeting. I knew that in my planning of this year as the Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner, that I needed to have a breakout on this. During the Commissioners College this weekend, it hit home
Pack Journey to Excellence 2014
Every government, company, business, internal department, office, project, client and employee has metrics to live by and report. I just got done with my annual review and projection for 2014. The Boy Scouts of America is no different. The BSA just got done delivering the 2013 Report to the Nation. There is even a
K.I.S.S.* Your Old Medical Records Goodbye Webinar
The new, simplified annual health and medical record was launched on March 1. We have been gathering feedback and answering your commonly asked questions on our new landing page . At the bottom of the landing page, you'll see a button labeled "Have Questions?
A warm Scouting handshake
Last week we discussed some of the ways we can overcome the hesitation that Scouts and families may have at joining a troop. After as much as five years in Cub Scouts, preparing to become Boy Scouts, most boys will …
Crossover Bridge Design (opens in a new tab)
Chip sent in this question: Hi, We are looking to build a crossover bridge and was wondering if you know where we could find some plans Thanks, Chip The bridge our pack uses has been around for years. I don't know who made it.
Adopt these 3 steps for healthier meetings, earn the Healthy Unit Patch (opens in a new tab)
Drink Right, Move More, Snack Smart. Those six small words hold big power. Power to make your unit, and therefore your Scouts, healthier. Changes you employ today could have positive rewards that last Scouts a lifetime. And speaking of rewards, if you make three health-conscious changes over the next three months, you'll earn a special…
Adopt these 3 steps for healthier meetings, earn the Healthy Unit Patch
Originally posted on Bryan on Scouting : Drink Right, Move More, Snack Smart. Those six small words hold big power. Power to make your unit, and therefore your Scouts, healthier. Changes you employ today could have positive rewards that last Scouts a lifetime. And speaking of rewards, if you make three health-conscious changes over the next…
Scoutmaster Podcast 213
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers In this podcast we talk about meeting the negative attitudes and behaviors we see in Scouts with the positives of Scouting and field a question about youth leader training events.This and your messages in the mailbag.
An Eagle Scout in Antarctica: Icebergs, penguins and unbelievable views
On the bottom of the world right now, Eagle Scout Alex Houston is having an experience that tops all others. I already introduced you to Alex and told you about his time in Ushuaia, Argentina , as he prepared for the journey by boat to Antarctica.
March is National Nutrition Month®!
Take our "Survival of the Fittest" Campout Cookout Challenge When it comes to learning how to eat well, exploring doesn't have to be boring! With planning for spring campouts happening right at the heart of Nutrition Month, how about including an Eat Clean Campout Cookoff on one of your outing's agendas?
Sustainability Merit Badge (opens in a new tab)
The Sustainability merit badge was added as a new merit badge in the summer of 2013. This badge focuses on lifestyle adaptations which use our planet's natural resources more wisely. Either Sustainability merit badge or Environmental Science merit badge is required for the rank of Eagle.
The Little Stuff
One of the big misconceptions in leadership is that the leader needs to worry about the big stuff. Yes, the leader has to know or have vision and that requires a look from the 1000 foot view, but when it really comes down to leading, it is the little stuff that matters.
The Commissioner's Corner by Darnall Daley
Author F. Darnall Daley, Jr. has a long record of service to Scouting at the District, Council, and Regional levels. He has plenty of Unit-level experience too – notably as an Assistant Scoutmaster and Assistant Cubmaster for two different grandsons. "The Commissioner's Corner", a collection of essays, thoughts, and poems, reflect his love for, and appreciation…
Future Mining in Society MB counselors can get trained for free online
Mining in Society merit badge counselors, here's your chance to sharpen your skills before teaching the BSA's newest merit badge to Scouts. The Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration will offer two free online trainings for Mining in Society MB counselors.
Healthy Scouts, Strong Scouts (opens in a new tab)
Does your Scouting unit include healthy drink, snacks, and activity in all its meetings? It's easy to do, but often lacking. Regular physical activity and healthy eating are two areas for improvement in most Scouting units, in order to advance that "physically strong" part of our oath.
Issue 389 – March 18, 2014 (opens in a new tab)
________________________________________ Hello Andy, I've been reading your archive issues as well as your current ones. Looking back at your Issue 87 (October 2006), may I gently chastise you for your response about the "World Brotherhood" crest? At that time, you said, "Yup…The World Crest isn't mandatory.
Voice of the Scout Survey (Spring 2014) (opens in a new tab)
I took 10 minutes today to complete the latest Voice of the Scout survey. Here's how I responded: Q. How likely is it that you would recommend volunteering in the Scouting program to other friends or acquaintances? A. 10 (on a scale from 1-10) The next few questions were to be ranked as follows: Strongly…
Three Steps to Healthier Scouting Units
Scouting not only teaches skills that last a lifetime but also teaches skills that can make those lifetimes even longer. Through the SCOUTStrong initiative, Scout leaders can make a lasting difference in their Scouts' diet and exercise habits-habits that will improve their health now and into the future.