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________________________________________ The requirement with the fewest words and greatest clarity will be the one most subject to "interpretation." The volunteer who takes all available training for the position, and the one who takes none, are both called Scoutmaster. All volunteer meetings start late…except the one you're running late for.
Beginning November 1, 2014, the National Council will phase out the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and all BlackBerry device support. After this date, BlackBerry users will have to subscribe to a different data plan using BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) to receive emails.
Love Scouting but hate getting out in the fresh air? You're in luck! Today the Boy Scouts of America introduces Virtual Reality Scouting, a revolutionary alternative to regular Scouting that lets you experience all that the BSA has to offer without ever leaving the house.
April 2014 Climbing - Picking Your Nose ... er ... Route Cafe Press Items Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
Mike sent in this question: We have a large Troop of about 125 scouts and about 14 patrols. We recently tried to do patrol leadership elections but did not have enough scouts present to elect anyone. Most of our really active scouts are already in a leadership position or have already been in one.
It is scarcely necessary for me to go over the old ground of our principles; they have been the same ever since the Movement started. But when it started it was on a very simple scheme, and with the growth of years many new interpretations and many new side lines have been added to it…
The Talent Management Department has created 13 new job-specific competency models for local council positions. Competencies are defined as a cluster of behaviors performed on a job. The competency models include the following commissioned jobs; director of field service, director of development, program director, field director, and district executive.
A template is now available to guide you and your council health supervisor in developing a supplemental risk advisory tailored to your council camp. Need additional guidance? Each of the four BSA high-adventure bases has developed a supplemental advisory specific to its program and attached it to its medical record.
Been involved in Scouting for more than a year? You get a gold star. All youth or adult leaders who have reached one year of tenure with the Boy Scouts of America are eligible to begin wearing service stars. The stars are an underused outward symbol of how long you've been involved and a quick…
Scouting thrives on volunteers. Our mission to serve America's youth with a quality Scouting experience relies heavily on more than one million adult volunteers across the country, and we are proud to have them on board. And I've always been interested in how Scouting can round out the lifestyles of our volunteers.
Posters for every Kids room - some wonderful posters and I am very tempted to one of them to put on my daughters wall.
I've had several requests lately for a newer version of the merit badge check off list, updated with the newest badges. So I've redone the list as a Google spreadsheet. This will make it easier to keep updated. The spreadsheet could be used by a scribe to keep track of which Scouts have earned which…
From the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England this Roman multi tool or compound utensil was excavated from somewhere in the Mediterranean a couple of decades ago. Measuring 3in x 6in the artifact was probably made between AD 200 and AD 300 during the height of the Roman Empire.
Word Version PDF Version Baloo's Bugle Issues Baloo's Bugle: Volume 20 Issue 09 - April 2014 May 2014 Core Value - Health and Fitness| Destination: Parks Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
Mark your calendar for the All Markets Strategy Summit on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Registration is now open. Perhaps the most critical factor to Scouting's future success is the ability to engage the underserved segments of the U.S.
I have spoken about the five principles of leadership that we use in our Troop to develop both our Junior Leaders as well as our Adult Leaders. To recap, those five principles are Learn to Lead Yourself, Focus on the little things, Model Expected Behavior, Communicate Effectively, and Be a Servant Leader.
The National Rifle Association, working in conjunction with the BSA, is offering up to 15 councils the opportunity to participate in a growing and rapidly expanding program that will provide NRA Instructor training courses for the council's volunteers at no cost.
Insurance: You don't need it until you need it. For units that own trailers, insurance, well, insures that both the trailer itself and its contents are covered in case they're damaged or stolen. Is this insurance part of a driver's normal auto coverage, is it provided by the Boy Scouts of America or is it…
Did you see the mayhem caused by the minifigs at Girlguiding HQ. A great campaign to both advertise themselves and their new minifigs
It seems like our young people are struggling more than ever to set their sights on what career they'd like to pursue after high school or college. A survey of the "100 Best Jobs" for 2014 by U.S. News & World Report ranked these professions as its Top 10: Software Developer Computer Systems Analyst Dentist Nurse…
In the age of Smartphones and GoPros, the concept of documenting Scouting adventures in video format isn't a novel idea. But in the 1930s, capturing troop meetings and outdoor activities posed a bit more challenge. (Think heavy 16-millimeter-film cameras using portable projectors and screens to show footage.)
Fellow Scoutmaster and friend in Tullahoma Tennessee, Tom Gillard, writes: Friday afternoon I noticed a buzzard trying to feed on a dead squirrel in the road. I picked up the squirrel carcass and tossed it to the side of the road out of traffic (us old buzzards have to look out for each other).
Two new videos have been added to the Marketing Toolbox to showcase the role faith plays in Scouting. Separate versions for the Baptist and Catholic faiths are available now on Scouting.org . These videos can be used in "Together We Plan luncheons," a broad-based appeal to churches of the same denomination to consider Scouting as a…
Captain America and Eagle Scouts: Both wear uniforms, and of course they're both patriotic and brave. But recently I learned the shield-toting Avenger has even more in common with young men who earn Scouting's highest award than you might think.
The season is a' coming. Soon, sons and daughters will be buying greeting cards to give or to send to their mothers and fathers as the months of May and June come near. Hallmark sales will once again go through the roof.
Spring is in the air, which means out with the cold and in with the… sun! You must be so excited about everything you have planned this season. Thanks so much to our thoughtful customers who sent in great photos this month.
(Many Scout rafting competitions were inspired by Thor Heyerdahl's 1947 Pacific raft expedition. This article, published in The Scout on 17 April 1952, reveals the link between the Kon-Tiki expedition and Scouting. Although Heyerdahl's theories of South American colonisation of the Pacific are generally discounted today, the expedition itself is still an inspiring story.)
Click on image to view e-Letter The April 1 edition of the Finance Impact Department's e-Letter has been published and is now available online. This issue features the new National Camp Accreditation Program (NCAP) reports recently added to the PeopleSoft report menu.
Every Scout deserves a trained leader, and every leader deserves an opportunity for high-quality training. Well, there's no better training for adults than Wood Badge, and that philosophy of "No Scouter untrained" led Utah's Great Salt Lake Council to create a Wood Badge course tailored for both deaf and hearing Scouters.
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.
The Order of the Arrow has two campership programs available to provide Scouts with greater opportunities to attend summer camp. The Maury Clancy American Indian Campership and Get Kids to Camp Partnership have been funded by the Order of the Arrow Endowment to provide $20,000 each in support during 2014.
Arrowmen Setup and Man Various Pioneering an Team Building Stations Because they impressed the staff and participants at the previous year’s event, the Scouter heading up the program for the following Council-wide Scout Expo invited the Order of the Arrow to set up several pioneering-related exhibits.
The other day I got into a debate or more a less a discussion about Scouting and it's Values with a co-worker of mine. He contended that Scouting was too conservative in its values and that is what makes it unappealing in the Portland area.
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas.
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I’ll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you’ll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas.
I was asked to be a guest presenter at the W1-492-14 day 4 of Wood Badge for the Cascade Pacific Council. This weekend for about 19 hours, I was on Gilwell Field. I staffed in 2011 as a Troop Guide for the Bobwhites. You learn so much the first time you somewhat forget a
Have you ever listened to a talk, attended a training session or even tried to read an article or paper that contained unexplained abbreviations and terminology that you were unfamiliar with? If so, then you know what it's like when …
If you have a Scout working on Scouting Heritage merit badge Requirement 4, Joe Connole's your guy. The programs coordinator and lead admissions clerk for the BSA's National Scouting Museum in Irving, Tex., is in charge of answering letters and emails from Scouts working on that merit badge.
Over my many years as a Scouter both at the Cub Scout level and the Boy Scout level, I have often heard folks grip about one thing or another when it comes to our paid Scouters. I have sat in "town hall" or fire side chats with Scout Executives and other paid Scouters and bar…
Aaron sent in this question I am looking for ways to welcome Webelos into Boy Scouts at Pack Meetings, any ideas? Like a cross over, but not as formal. Thanks for the question, Aaron. Our crossover ceremonies are usually not very formal at all.
A rite of spring… as the camp gear gets aired and repaired anticipating the season's first campout, one of a Scout's most reliable tools might just get a bit of Scotch tape. Tattered as it may be, the BSA® Fieldbook remains a constant and trusted companion wherever the trail leads.
Matt Moniz and his dad, Mike, needed just six weeks and a day to climb to the highest point in every U.S. state. That's faster than anyone in history. I'm talking 50 summits - from Alaska's 20,322-foot Denali to Florida's 345-foot Britton Hill - in just 43 days.
Eagle Scouts represent the best Scouting has to offer in terms of demonstrating strong character, leadership, citizenship, and values. Their commitment to keeping our communities strong often goes well into their adult lives. We are proud of the contributions they continue to make for our mission to provide a quality Scouting experience for our young…
The Tigers of my old Pack were "almost" done with all the requirements for their Tiger Badge. They only needed to complete the 4G Communicate requirement. Apparently they had a hard time getting into either a TV, Radio or Newspaper. Luckily the Cubmaster sent me a note asking about if I could use my Ham
BSA offers supplemental pack program ideas for each month. One of the Cub Scout themes for the May core value of The May Pack Meeting Tips from BSA remind us "Cub Scouts will learn that it is important and easy to eat a healthy diet and how a fitness program can be part of their…
W2-590-14-8, C6-160-14-2, S4-83-14-2, N4-527-14. Are those nuclear launch codes? A paranoid person's computer password? Some sort of weird locker combination? Nope. Those four sets of characters describe the numbers of actual Wood Badge courses being offered in 2014. And in reality, the code - found on every modern Wood Badge course - isn't that difficult to crack.
Here's some news that rocks. Long before he helped Imagine Dragons win a Grammy Award, an American Music Award and a Teen Choice Award, lead singer Dan Reynolds earned the Eagle Scout Award. Yes, the vocalist for the band that MTV in 2013 called "the year's biggest breakout band" got his start in Scouting.
Here's a Scoutmaster minute idea for your notebook: If you visit the archery range at camp this summer (and you should!) you'll get the opportunity to shoot an arrow at a target. If you shoot six arrows at the target how many do you think will hit the bull's-eye?
In a few weeks, my two boys will be having their Eagle Court of Honor. As I've been scanning the web looking through lots of ideas for how to run one, I came across this letter from Mike Rowe that I read for the first time.
________________________________________ Hello Andy, I'm confused. In your column No. 390 (March 25th), a reader raised a question about Scouts not being able to repeat the Scout Oath, Law, etc., at their boards of review. Part of your answer was: "To put this in further perspective, although it's fairly standard practice to ask Scouts to repeat the…
Before you tell your Scouts and Venturers to power down their smartphones at the beginning of your next adventure, I have something you need to read. The BSA's Deputy Chief Scout Executive, Gary Butler, penned a guest blog post that offers his nuanced opinion on the place that iPhones, Androids and devices of their ilk…
The blog has been a little quiet the last couple days as we have been through an emotional gauntlet over the last week. On Monday night right before the Troop meeting we were visited by two Police Officers from the Gresham Police Department.
BSA has a set of troop programs which can help PLCs plan activities around a theme. This communication program feature offers the opportunity to plan a month's worth of troop activities which focus on giving and receiving information. The plans for the Business troop program feature can be found in Volume 1 of Troop Program…
Steve Fox's list of roles and responsibilities in Scouting spans five decades. From his boyhood home in Maryland, to college in Indiana and Illinois, as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand, and during eight tours of duty with the Foreign Service in East and South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa Scouting has continued to…
The annual practice of troops picking the perfect summer camp just got upgraded to the smartphone age. Clear a spot on your home screen for Camp Scout! , a free iPhone app brought to you by Boys' Life magazine and the BSA's Outdoor Adventures team.
A BSA executive has posted his opinions on the use of smartphones in Scouting for Bryan @ Scouting magazine . He presents that smartphones are tools that can be used, or abused, similarly to pocketknives. He touches on the problem of some of us old guys trying to force our fond memories of Scouting as youths onto…
Permission slips are like seat belts. They're simple to use, and they're for your own protection in case of emergency. The Boy Scouts of America's permission slip, officially called the Activity Consent Form and Approval by Parents or Legal Guardian, is a bilingual document that provides parental emergency contact info and releases the "Boy Scouts…
When I ask Scouters about their best memories as a Scout, they often call upon times spent at their favorite Scout camp. Summer camp memories last a lifetime, which is why it's important to help your Scouts choose a camp program that will keep them coming back for more.
The steps in training have become so absorbing and important that in many cases the aim has come to be lost sight of. -B.P Take a moment and step back from all of your roles and responsibilities and observe how simple Scouting is.
Learn why it's so important to keep track of the Cub Scout Arrow Points your son earns.
(This chain reaction device was published on the 26th of June 1952 in The Scout, in John Sweet's column on page 761) Patrol Leader R. Graves, of the 15th Prestwich Woodpigeon Patrol. has designed an automatic gramophone record changer- overer (specification and blueprint herewith) and an automatic camp plate-washer-upper (not yet off the secret list).
Tracing the life of Scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell takes you not only to his birthplace in London but also to Kenya, where he spent the last few years of his life. My recent trip to London and Gilwell Park , provenance of the Wood Badge training course, inspired Idaho Scouter Steve Jung to share photos and…
I can not remember where or who I heard this from, but I recalled a quote the other day that I thought was a good way of illustrating our job as Scout leaders and parents. "We are not building roads for our children, we are building children for the roads."
It's important to the sustainability of Scouting to continue to build membership from the youngest members of our organization, our Cub Scouts. It's exciting to watch parent volunteers also take part in Scouting for the first time and work with these young boys as they progress along the Scouting trail to hopefully earn their Eagle…
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.
Ernest Thompson-Seton founded his vision of Scouting on the lore of Native American life. I've devoted a great deal of time over the years to studying the Native American Peoples who once occupied Southeastern Pennsylvania where I live (specifically the Lenape and Susquehannock).
Last Saturday, ClassB's Vice President, Gregg Hilferding, received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America's Gulf Ridge Council. The Silver Beaver is the highest recognition a council can present to an adult volunteer. Many of you know Gregg because of the work he does with Scouting through ClassB.
Scoutmaster Jerry : Fantastic Trip.. Originally posted on Bryan on Scouting : Tracing the life of Scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell takes you not only to his birthplace in London but also to Kenya, where he spent the last few years of his life.
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I'll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you'll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas.
The concept for this gateway originated from the bamboo version placed at one end of Peschke Field at the 2013 national jamboree. Just like the name describes, this gateway flies a banner in the middle surrounded on each side by three flags.
I had a dream once. It was to make my Troop the perfect Scout Troop. I just joined Scouting and I was excited about the whole thing. I knew if I worked hard enough, I could become a leader and iron out all the wrinkles that I observed around me.
Having more money than we could ever imagine is a dream far from the reality of most Scouters. Indeed, most of us give up a lot – not only our time, but our money and other resources – because we …
It's Sunday night and I am back from a weekend of camping with the Troop. It was the annual shakedown Campout for Camporee in a month. This was also the first campout with the Troop for Elliot and myself. I was pretty eager to go since I had not a clue on how Troop 150
Steve sent in this question about Eagle palms : In terms of earning Palms. Do MB's earned before getting Eagle count towards Palms? The wording on the BSA site is unclear to me. My oldest will be 15 in July and has to be in his PL position for about 4 months to be able to…
A senseless act of violence has taken a young Boy Scout from us too soon. Reat Griffin Underwood, a 14-year-old Life Scout who was working toward Eagle, was one of three victims in Sunday's shootings at Jewish community centers in Kansas.
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers From time to time I receive email from Scouters who have some basic disagreement with the way the program is being presented in their unit. These disagreements aren't over things that endanger Scouts, the disagreements are usually around the application of the patrol system or youth leadership.
Life Scout and his grandfather are two victims in yesterday's Kansas City shootings. It was saddening to find out about the attacks, and even more so when another connection is found. One Scouter is assembling a package to help the family here , in case you would like to help.
The Cub Scout Bear electives list is expanded because your son can complete unused rank requirements as electives.
In an earlier posting about a Scout Campout, I talked about Glowstick Orienteering. I got a few requests via Twitter for more details. After a quick email to the Scoutmaster, he replied with this: "Basically there were 10 glowsticks that correspond to the 10 Essential items. Bearings were provided and then a very approximate number
It sounds like the trailer for a summer blockbuster: In a world saturated by television, smartphones and video games, one group of Scouts dares to step outside and show the world they still value the outdoors, exercise and self-discipline. But this is better than a Hollywood movie.
Here's one owner's manual that's actually worth reading. It isn't for your car, smartphone or new camp stove. The 2014 Fieldbook is a user's guide for the entire outdoors, and it's a must-own for everyone who spends time outside. The fifth-edition Fieldbook: Scouting's Manual of Basic and Advanced Skills for Outdoor Adventure is published by…
Sir Ernest Shackleton's board of review for the rank of World Explorer assembled one evening and began reading over his application and supporting documentation. He earned all of his merit badges on Captain Scott's Antarctic Discovery Expedition in 1901–04, and clocked his leadership tenure as the leader of British Antarctic Expedition in 1907–09.
Scott sent in this question: My son is home schooled and has to do the requirement for second class 9a. The drug awareness part. do you have any suggestions on what he can do to meet this requirement? Any help would be great.
________________________________________ Hi Andy, My son just crossed over into a pretty good troop. Based on my own experience as a Scout (my two highlights were being elected Senior Patrol Leader and making it to Eagle along with my two best friends) the troop seems to be getting lots of stuff right, like using The Patrol Method…
The Boy Scouts of America is offering Naturally Slim® to benefit eligible employees and their spouses – at no cost! Naturally Slim Foundations is a 10-week online health improvement program that helps you lose weight, reduce stress and improve your overall health – all while eating the foods you love!
With new BSA research and strategic insights at play, it has never been more critical that we reach out to families in innovative ways. From the latest in digital and social media techniques to new recruitment campaign materials, you'll learn how to market the Scouting experience to busy moms and families.
(Article adapted from Bryan on Scouting blog ) The annual practice of troops picking the perfect summer camp just got upgraded to the smartphone age. Clear a spot on your home screen for Camp Scout!, a free iPhone app brought to you by Boys' Life magazine and the BSA's Outdoor Adventures team.
Your boss views your tailgating photos on Instagram, your Facebook friends see you complaining about your job or your Scouts read your tweets in favor of a politician. You've just encountered context collapse. That's the phrase for something intended for a specific audience that becomes seen by a much wider, unintended audience.
Here's a bright-spot occasion to cheer up tax time in April. NATIONAL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY on April 20 is when we get to say "Thank You" to the life-blood of BSA… the hard-working, endlessly dedicated volunteers who make Scouting happen for our youth.
We often talk about having all of our adult leaders trained. When we speak of training we are talking about the basics. Has the adult completed Youth Protection? Attended their Basic Course for the specific position? And according to the Boy Scouts of America, that's pretty much a trained leader.
This summer, our troop and crew will be attending Catholic Adventure Week at Swift Base. This is just one of several themed camps offered by our council. Our Boy Scout troop does this as a second week of summer camp, with the first being a traditional Boy Scout camp.
What are your favorite places to go camping or hiking? How would you reply? Leave a comment or let me know on the forum . I was asked to share my favorite camping and hiking locations for Florida Outdoors . Here's my contribution: It takes a certain kind of person to go out alone and enjoy wild…
In Scouting, one of our priorities is to reach out to young people in all neighborhoods so all kids – no matter their origin or circumstances can experience the life changing adventures, lessons, and friendships that Scouting has to offer. We know we haven't reached everyone.
Does your BSA camp, office, or service center raise the bar when it comes to sustainable practices? Are you teaching the Sustainability Merit Badge in a unique way? Are you taking sustainability to the next level in your programs? We'd like to hear about it!
The latest and greatest in tech isn't a new smartphone, tablet or game console. It's a new merit badge. Today the Boy Scouts of America welcomes Digital Technology merit badge to its ever-growing arsenal of merit badges focused on careers, hobbies and activities Scouts enjoy doing.
The launch of the Mining in Society Merit Badge was a grand success! Now it is the responsibility of Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) members and others knowledgeable about the mining industry to promote the badge and to become Mining in Society Merit Badge Counselors.
Top Hands 2014 will be an exciting opportunity for fellowship, learning, team building, sharing of ideas and a fun time for professionals and spouses! Make plans now to attend and bring key staff members. Joining us for a keynote address will be Dr.
Over the weekend, the East Rand Scout District in South Africa ran a public awareness day, where every group ran a public event to show that Scouting is flourishing in the community. Some groups held parades, some met in parks, some met outside shopping centres.
The 2014 National Aquatics Workshop will be held Oct. 22–26 at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base in Islamorada, Florida. The schedule includes ample time to enjoy the warm climate and natural beauty of the Florida Keys. The conference is especially well-suited for council aquatic chairs and National Camping School staff members.
If open water is your thing, check out Sea Scouting ‘s newest base. Sea Scout Base-Galveston has been hosting high adventure trips since 2011, but the facility is expected to be completed this year. As with most projects of this scale, it took years of planning and coordination-and a passion for the project-to get to…
