Posts in September 2014

September Blog Update

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

Here is a little update. I thought I owed it to you to hear it from me about the progress of my Blog ticket which in turn has led to me seeing that I am falling short on my goals.

Recharter (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Maniac ·

Before we begin the primary topic of this column I would first like to introduce myself. My name is Mark West, I am 23 years old and have been involved with Scouting since the second grade (1997). In August 2006 I earned my Eagle with Troop 780 which is located in Castle Rock, Colorado (Denver…

Join Scouting Night Dos and Don'ts (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

As a unit commissioner, I've been helping plan and assist with recruiting nights at Cub Scout packs in our town this year. This is nothing new to me; I've conducted many during my time in Cub Scouts. I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly, so I thought I'd share with you some of

Training news and updates (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

The national training team has been busy not only with revisions to training courses but also with changes to several other tools and opportunities that will help us better serve our units. Here is a summary of the latest updates on the training front: Better tracking of older courses - Perhaps you have gone online to

Perseverance (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Musings ·

It's been 6 years since Heather Dorniden won this 600m collegiate race, but her demonstration of perseverance will never fade. It might be a bit long for a Scoutmaster Minute, at 2.5 minutes, but I think the message of never giving up no matter what happens is worth it.

Podcast 235 – Patrol Method 1

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers What, exactly, is the Patrol Method? Why did our founder emphasize the importance of the patrol method over all else in Scouting? In this week's podcast I'll begin a series of four installments that establishes the patrol method as the character school for our Scouts and relate a story about how…

Looking at Scouting through two pairs of eyes (opens in a new tab)

Chief's Corner · archived copy

I just read the story appearing in the latest issue of Esquire magazine featuring our National President Robert Gates, headlined: Are There Still Boy Scouts ? His current leadership role in Scouting aside, what a fascinating article! I enjoyed reading about his memories of his father, Mel Gates.

The Ups and Downs (opens in a new tab)

Jeff's Scouting Blog ·

One of my favorite websites is Clarke Green's ScoutmasterCG (CG for Clarke Green). I'm borrowing the picture above from it (with permission). He's got tons of great information for scouts and scouters alike. It is a gret site for an enthusiastic patrol leader to get some quality ideas on hwo to run a patrol.

Lucky? Not Really.

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

Saw this comment today: "He's got a bunch of older Scouts who run his troop for him, he's lucky!" Lucky? Not at all, that's how Scouting works. "He's got a bunch of older Scouts…" Yes, we have a bunch of older Scouts, when I think "older" I think about any Scout over thirteen.

Fall Fun Rally 2014

Scouter Mom ·

In a couple of weeks, our crew is going to Fall Fun Rally . This annual event, which started 41 years ago in the Greater St. Louis Area Council, claims to be the largest annual gathering of Venturers and Explorers. Although this is a Venturing/Exploring event, older Boy Scouts can attend also.

Trucker's Hitch How-To Video Is Tons Of Fun (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

Trucker's Hitch How-To Video Is Tons Of Fun We can't vouch for the accuracy of the instructions in this knot-tying video, but what it lacks it practicality it makes up for in silliness. From the makers of "What Does The Fox Say?" comes "Trucker's Hitch." No more explanation necessary. View On WordPress

Jeff's Scouting Blog

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

I recently learned of a new Scouting blog authored by Jeff Freeman: So I've thought about a blog for a long time. Either as a representative of my pack, or now of the troop I'm in. Or even for my daughters Daisies.

Flap your wings! (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

A Scout unit can be compared to a bird in flight. A healthy bird flies high, soaring with wings open and catching updrafts and downdrafts. It might dip a bit here and there, but it catches another thermal and continues to soar. A newborn bird flaps its tiny wings mightily, desperately trying to catch air.

Alumni Relations (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Musings ·

Did you have a family reunion this summer? What about your Scouting family? When a scout finishes his time with a troop, that is all too often the end of his Scouting experience. He's off to college or work, and no longer has time for Scouting.

Outdoor knowledge

Chief's Corner ·

What we know and learn about the outdoors is not only great for our recreation; it can make a huge difference in how we preserve these natural resources for the future. Recent incidents are discouraging. In early August, a tourist crashed a drone with camera into Yellowstone National Park's world-renowned Grand Prismatic Spring, potentially damaging…

American Monsters (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

Fact or fiction? Hoax or human? Here's a guide to some of America's own monsters. You might have heard of the Loch Ness Monster of Scotland and the abominable snowman of the Himalayas, but the U.S. also has its own share of "monsters."

Boy Scouting: Rocketman Build an Adventure

Scouting News ·

It's that time of year when Boy Scout roundups are taking place all across the country. In the days of shareable social media that Boy Scouts of American has caught on and is producing and publishing media projects to help with recruitment.

Camp Seesaw Video and Photo Montage (opens in a new tab)

Scout Pioneering · archived copy

CAMP SEESAW INSRUCTIONS With limited space for their exhibit at the 35th annual Aynor Harvest Ho-Down, Boy Scout Troop 818 erected this seesaw. ScoutingNews.org Boy Scout Troop 888 builds a seesaw as an attraction at a District Webeloree. Lots of See-Sawing at a district event for Webelos Scouts

Preparing for next year's journey – Packs (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

The Journey to Excellence quality-check program has been with us for a few years now, and we have become accustomed to minor tweaks from year to year. For 2015, however, the changes are a bit more sweeping, though nearly all active units will be able to qualify for at least the Bronze level recognition. First,

Scoutcraft is not dead! (opens in a new tab)

Scouting News · archived copy

SCOUTPIONEERING.COM IS PUTTING THE OUTING IN SCOUTING We were happy this week to run across a great website thanks to a video that was shared on Facebook. The video linked in below was taken over the weekend at a community event in the town of Aynor, South Carolina.

Podcast 236 – Patrol Method 2

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

What, exactly, is the Patrol Method? Why did our founder emphasize the importance of the patrol method over all else in Scouting? In this week's podcast the second of four installments that describes te adult role in applying the patrol method.

RT @BoysLifePaula: Go to http://t.co/jnyECLU0nl for an exclusive look at the cover of the next book in the Frank Einstein series!

Inside Boys' Life ·

RT @BoysLifePaula: Go to http://t.co/jnyECLU0nl for an exclusive look at the cover of the next book in the Frank Einstein series! : via Twitter http://ift.tt/1714avm

Cubmaster For A Day (opens in a new tab)

A Scoutmaster's Blog ·

As I mentioned in the last post to A Scoutmaster's Blog , I have been helping to reorganize the pack leadership. We now have what I feel is a strong committee of four committed parents. I also plan to stay on the pack committee to lend my assistance and support during this program year.

RT @BoysLifeAaron: Video Of @Circle10BSA Big D Fleur-de-lis Is Big-time Cool http://t.co/02x0r9TwUy #recycling #GoGreen

Inside Boys' Life ·

RT @BoysLifeAaron: Video Of @Circle10BSA Big D Fleur-de-lis Is Big-time Cool http://t.co/02x0r9TwUy #recycling #GoGreen : via Twitter http://ift.tt/1714avm

Video Of Big D Fleur-de-lis Is Big-time Cool http://t.co/YyzCW2O0M1

Inside Boys' Life ·

Video Of Big D Fleur-de-lis Is Big-time Cool http://t.co/YyzCW2O0M1 : via Twitter http://ift.tt/1714avm

Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes game review (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

BL's Games Guru reviews Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes is very different from Disney Infinity. It's all about superheroes, and you're immediately thrown into the action. GETTING STARTED Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes Gameplay: 8.9 Graphics: 8.8 Sound: 8.7 Replay Value: 9.6 Overall Score: 9.0 Pros: Big…

BL's Games Guru reviews Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes http://t.co/E4owLGz5qB

Inside Boys' Life ·

BL's Games Guru reviews Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes http://t.co/E4owLGz5qB : via Twitter http://ift.tt/1714avm

Secret revealed! Click here for the cover of the new Frank Einstein book by @Jon_Scieszka http://t.co/9Hq1zDncL9

Inside Boys' Life ·

Secret revealed! Click here for the cover of the new Frank Einstein book by @Jon_Scieszka http://t.co/9Hq1zDncL9 : via Twitter http://ift.tt/1714avm

RT @scouting: Virtual reality zip line helps suburban Chicago council recruit more Scouts http://t.co/sMKmmb9VVg

Inside Boys' Life ·

RT @scouting: Virtual reality zip line helps suburban Chicago council recruit more Scouts http://t.co/sMKmmb9VVg : via Twitter http://ift.tt/1714avm

Good Scoutmaster material

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

Ok.. so I posted then went quiet again… What gives? I am currently being attacked with SPAM here at the blog. It seems that it is all I can do to stay ahead of the spam, thank goodness the filter is doing a pretty good job of catching it… Moving on… The news has flooded…