HalfEagleScouting Blogs and News

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June 2014

243 posts, oldest first.

I quit!

Bobwhite's Blather ·

Last month I stepped down as our troop's committee chair, a role I've held for over seven years. After selecting my replacement, I made the announcement in front of the committee at our monthly meeting, and informed our troop families …

Tiger Adventure Requirements: Backyard Jungle

Scouter Mom ·

[cs2015] Backyard Jungle is one of the Tiger CORE Adventure Requirements. In the current Tiger Cub program, it is most similar to Tiger Elective 32 – Feed the Birds and Tiger Elective 30 – Plant a Seed . For this adventure, Tiger Cubs and their adult partners learn to really observe the outdoors and see all of the…

Computers http://t.co/4PZ6IVmZ32

Inside Boys' Life ·

Computers http://t.co/4PZ6IVmZ32 - Boys' Life magazine (@BoysLife) June 2, 2014 from Twitter http://ift.tt/1714avm June 02, 2014 at 01:56PM via IFTTT

47 years of happiness – and what a good Scout!

Chief's Corner ·

June 2 always has a big circle on my calendar – it's the wedding anniversary for my lovely wife Ernestine and me. We dated all through high school – both from small-town North Carolina communities – and I couldn't have been happier when she agreed to marry me.

Scholarships Available Now for Marketing/Membership Conferences

Scouting Wire ·

Special scholarship funds are now available to help offset travel expenses so every council can send at least one volunteer to the NextConnect conferences Aug. 7-8 in Dallas or Aug. 11-12 in Chicago. Growing Scouting is a major focus of these conferences, including the latest research, new recruitment materials, and more.

Now Hiring: BSA High Adventure Bases!

Scouting Wire ·

Know anyone looking for a job with adventure? Have them check out the employment opportunities at the BSA high adventure bases! Philmont – http://www.philmontscoutranch.org/jobs.aspx Northern Tier – http://www.ntier.org/NorthernTier/Jobs.aspx Sea Base – http://www.bsaseabase.org/resources/employment.aspx Summit – http://www.summitblog.org/programs/employment/

2014 Environmental Scan Now Available

Scouting Wire ·

The 2014 Environmental Scan is now available at scouting.org/about . This report is compiled by the Research & Program Innovation department of the BSA and updated annually. It includes an indexed summary of social trends and facts affecting the Boy Scouts of America to help councils: Develop local council strategic plans Create marketing tools Recruit volunteers Improve…

Confessions of a Bully: In gripping video, Cub Scout shares his lesson learned

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

Cameron Thompson isn't a bully anymore. The second-grader and Cub Scout in Pack 322 of California's Inland Empire Council learned his lesson, and now he's sharing an anti-bullying message that's sure to resonate with your Cub Scout-age boys. The news media have taken notice; Cameron's positive story was on the Today Show this morning .

My Fellow Americans – Scouting and the Presidency

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

In his new book, My Fellow Americans: Scouting, Diversity, and the U.S. Presidency historian David Scott chronicles something we all know something of, but do not know enough about; the special relationship between Scouting and the presidency. Though the image of the presidency is all too often skewed by charged political divisiveness fomented by a…

Apply Now for Naturally Slim

Scouting Wire ·

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!

Issue 399 – June 3, 2014

Ask Andy ·

________________________________________ Dear Andy, For the National Outdoor Badge-Camping Segment, if a Scout spends the summer as a camp counselor at his local Scout camp, and stays in the same kind of tent that he would have were he a camper at summer camp, do all those days/nights of camping count toward this badge/segment?

Finance Impact e-Letter: June 1 Issue Highlights Camp Inventories, FOS Recognition, NESA Scholarship Recipients, and More

Scouting Wire · archived copy

Click image to view e-Letter The June 1 edition of the Finance Impact Department's e-Letter has been published and is now available online. This edition provides information for recording camp inventories; reiterates the requirements for Friends of Scouting recognition, to be presented at the 2014 Top Hands Conference; gives information regarding local councils' audited financial…

Want to Amp Up Your Summer Fun? Just Turn the Page…

ScoutStuff Blog ·

Facing a rainy Monday in June? Well, turn off the TV and embark on a heart-pounding adventure with brother-and-sister sleuths encountering wildlife and wild circumstances in America's National Parks. Have a summer campout on the horizon? Whether it's backyard or backcountry, make it a breeze… and a blast!

Madden NFL 25

Inside Boys' Life ·

Games Guru's tips for Madden NFL 25 What is a great way to dominate in Madden Online, specifically? I'm good against AI, but get beat against humans. Ideas? Games Guru: You can generally figure out AI, but sometimes it's hard to spot patterns with humans.

Councils to Award National Certificate of Merit and Medal of Merit Effective Sept. 1

Scouting Wire ·

Effective Sept. 1, councils will have the ability to award National Certificates of Merit and Medals of Merit to their members. The National Certificate of Merit is awarded when a member has performed a significant act of service that is deserving of special national recognition.

BSA Recognizes 2014 Silver Buffalo Recipients

Scouting Wire ·

Nine top volunteers were awarded the organization's highest commendation, the Silver Buffalo Award, during the BSA's National Annual Meeting. The award has been given annually since 1926 to civic-minded men and women for their invaluable contributions and service to youth.

Meet the New Departments Under Experience-Oriented Scouting

Scouting Wire ·

Click image to download infographic An infographic has been developed to help illustrate the role of the six new National Council departments and how they support our goal of Experience-Oriented Scouting. The document also highlights other department leadership and what hasn't changed under the reorganization.

President, governors make it official: June is Great Outdoors Month

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

Love the outdoors? I've got just the thing. June, a month whose arrival is celebrated by school-age children nationwide, doesn't just mean the end of classes. It means the unofficial beginning of outdoors season. June is Great Outdoors Month, and it's overflowing with reasons to head outside to celebrate our beautiful country.

Outdoor Footwear 101 Infographic

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

There are so many options available selecting the right outdoor footwear for camping, hiking and backpacking can be confusing! The basics in this outdoor footwear infographic will help you choose and, more importantly, get a proper fit. To see my specific recommendations for outdoor footwear check out this page in my Gear Guide .

Five June Scouting magazine covers from the archives

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

Even though the first "official" day of summer is June 21, the start of this month reminds us that it's time for swimming pools, barbecues and, of course, Scout camp and Scouting adventures. During this first week of the month, let's look back at five June cover images from the digital archives of Scouting magazine…

Transatlantic Council Hosts Normandy Camporee to Mark 70th Anniversary of D-Day

Scouting Wire ·

The Transatlantic Council hosts a camporee every three years on the shores of Normandy, France. The 2014 camporee was particularly special, taking place during the 70th anniversary year of D-Day. With thousands of youth participating, learning, and talking to veterans, the event touched every American who visited and participated.

Dr. Robert M. Gates Elected National President of the Boy Scouts of America

Scouting Wire ·

The Boy Scouts of America elected Dr. Robert M. Gates, former secretary of defense and former director of central intelligence, as the organization's national president during the National Annual Meeting on May 22. In this volunteer role, Dr. Gates will lead the National Executive Board, which guides the Boy Scouts of America as it serves…

Communicate for results

The Scoutmaster Minute · archived copy

Communicating effectively became crystal clear for me while I was a Student in the US Army Ranger School. One minute you are chest deep in water slogging your way through a swamp and the next minute you are being told you are now the leader and you have 5 minutes to find out what the…

New book explores how U.S. presidents helped shape Scouting

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

The first thing you notice when you pick up My Fellow Americans is its weight. The new book from Eagle Scout David C. Scott feels heavier than you might expect from the outside. Inside, though, Scott makes sure the stories about each U.S.

Why every Scout or Venturer needs to earn the Cyber Chip

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

It's been two years since I last blogged about the BSA's Cyber Chip . In the online world, that's like two lifetimes. The importance of the Cyber Chip has only grown in the time since it was introduced. Now having a current Cyber Chip is the first requirement for Scouts earning the Digital Technology and Programming…

B.P.'S Blog -In Camp

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

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.

Making history: First campers arrive at the Summit today

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

Northern Tier, 1923. Philmont, 1939. Sea Base, 1980. And now: the Summit, 2014. Remember this day, because today - June 8, 2014 - the first Scouts arrive at the Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base at the Summit in West Virginia.

The First Post

A Scoutmaster's Blog ·

I am not really sure why I started doing it. Maybe it was to keep a kind of online journal. Maybe it was to see if anyone would be interested to read what I had to share. I did know I did not want to write about how a Scouting leader should be trained or…

Where do they go from here?

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

It's that time of the year.. Graduation season. And in a lot of cases, it's Eagle Scout season too as the young man becomes motivated by his up coming 18th Birthday. So Congratulations to all the Grads and New Eagle Scouts this year.

Changing of the guard

Bobwhite's Blather ·

A few weeks ago, our troop had the beginnings of the changing of the guard. First, the Scouts elected a new senior patrol leader. The winner wasn't the first one to throw his hat in the ring. In fact, it …

Meet the young man leading Sea Scouting for the next year

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

Selecting Peter Schmidt to lead Sea Scouting seems like a no-brainer. I mean, take one look at the young man's Scouting résumé: Quartermaster Award, Eagle Scout Award, Venturing Silver Award. Numerous council, regional and national training courses and leadership roles.

Scoutmaster Podcast 225 – Youth Led?

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers What does "youth led" really mean? This week I spend some time answering two email questions that touch on youth leadership, one focuses on responsive leadership (what to do if Scouts aren't holding up their end of the bargain) and one abut shifting a troop from adult to youth leadership.

Presenting: The Stewardship Edition of the Be Prepared® Newsletter

ScoutStuff Blog ·

June, 2014 Vol. 6, No. 6 STEWARDSHIP EDITION A Conservation Good Turn The Outdoor Code Conservation Caravan Explorers BSA's Conservation Awards Conservation Handbook Scouting's Environmental Promise A CONSERVATION GOOD TURN Sixty years ago, the cover of the March, 1954, Boys' Life magazine showed a Scout putting up a poster promoting conservation of soil, water, and…

Wolf Adventure Requirements: Call of the Wild

Scouter Mom ·

[cs2015] Call of the Wild is one of the Wolf CORE Adventure Requirements. In the current Wolf Cub Scout program, it is most similar to Wolf Achievement 7 – Your Living World , Wolf Elective 11 – Sing a Long , Wolf Elective 16 – Family Alert , Wolf Elective 18 – Outdoor Adventure , and Wolf Elective 23 – Lets Go Camping .

Habit of Service

The Scoutmaster Minute · archived copy

During my recent Vigil Ordeal I had lots of time to sit and think. Being a student of Baden Powell, thought about the book Aides to Scoutmastership. Powell authored this book in 1920 and its contents hold true today. Substitute King and Queen and some of the Victorian era language, and the message Baden Powell…

I'm Calling you out!

The Scoutmaster Minute · archived copy

At our Troop meeting last night we got into a good discussion about "kids these days". I contend that the kids are no different, they are still kids. The world is the same. It still spins and the sun rises in the East and sets in the West.

Issue 400 – June 10, 2014

Ask Andy ·

________________________________________ The universe is composed of three things: matter, emptiness, and opinions. Unfortunately, the latter two are often confused with one another. ================================================================ Hi Andy, Our troop and district have always told Scouts that they can't use pressure treated lumber for Eagle service projects and such.

Stuck in the Troop Meeting Rut?

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

Like Hannibal Smith "I love it when a plan comes together" and I think planning is an important skill, but the repetition of the same plan, over and over again, can wear a rut in the floor. Somewhere in the dim, dark past the Troop meeting plan was created; preopening 10 minutes, opening 5 minutes…

FIFA 14

Inside Boys' Life ·

Best corner kick method in FIFA? The defenders always beat me to head the ball, before I can get an attacker on it. Thoughts? Thanks. Games Guru: Try kicking with the power at two bars. This guy makes it look easy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNfT66eOGbg View On WordPress

Peggle 2

Inside Boys' Life ·

When I'm playing Peggle 2, is there a best starting position for the ball? Or is that first ball just luck. Games Guru: It's not just luck. Later in the game, you can try to fine tune your shot with Bjorn's power up, which shows where your ball will bounce.

Film showcases the power of Scouting but doesn't sugarcoat it

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

I mean no disrespect to Follow Me, Boys! , an an American classic. But that 1966 film doesn't speak to most of today's 30-something parents in need of a character-building organization for their son or daughter. It especially doesn't resonate with those parents in America's inner cities who desperately want a way to steer their children…

Campers won't settle down at bedtime? Try these four tips

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

Heading to summer camp or your unit's first summer campout? If you've camped with Scouts before, then it's likely you've encountered energetic boys (and Venturers, too) who have a hard time settling down at bedtime. The woes of Scoutmaster Knott in the May 1950 edition of Scouting magazine will sound familiar.

Ten Essentials for Camping

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

The ten essentials are things every responsible camper should carry. In addition to what you'll use regularly carry some spares in your First Aid and Contingency Kit. Contingencies are more common than actual emergencies. I recommend a first-aid kit supplemented with a few other items on the 'ten essentials' list: a spare flashlight, spare whistle…