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So I spent the holiday week in Phoenix, AZ visiting family. But we had the opportunity to take some side trips and hiked one of the local trails. A recommended one was in the Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve . Now this isn't specifically a scout trek, but being a Scouting family (even in the in-laws) we…
(click Thumbnail) December 2014 Natural Rock Face Climbing Complete with Dirt Cafe Press Items and T he 12th Annual The Cartoon Days of Christmas (TCDC) Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
The BSA's Testing and Evaluation Team wants you (yes, you) to join the Scouting Research Panels. Your opinions will determine changes to Scouting programs.
With the festive season upon us, I've put together a list of pioneering-related gifts that you might find useful. John Sweet's Scout Pioneering is a classic reference, and there are a few different editions in print. Your best bet is to hunt one down in a second hand bookshop, but there are a few online…
One of the most fascinating and fulfilling things about being part of the Scouting movement is watching our young people grow and develop as individuals, team members and leaders. Every time I sit on a board of review (as I did for two new Eagle Scouts last week), I'm reminded that, in one way or
Recently, I asked this question on my Facebook page. There were several themes that came up again and again. To help you out with your holiday shopping, I thought I would put together a list of gifts for boys based on what my Facebook followers suggested. Many of these items are specially priced for Cyber
Another agonized alliteration! In this podcast I answer emails about merit badge classes , patrols cooking their own chow , a Scoutmaster worried about Scouts who change troops, Scouting's chimeras (or urban legends ), and a little troop leadership election chicanery . Here's the first chapter of the narrative: A New Scoutmaster .
The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 had a busy one day activity during the month of November. It was a two part outing. The first part was a trip to the St. Cloud State University climbing wall where the Scouts had fun testing their skills on seven different climbs, from easy to quite challenging.
Jerry Schleining over at the blog "The Scoutmaster Minute" on November 29 published the post "You Make the Call". Below you will find an excerpt from the post that in my opinion pretty much sums up the topic discussed within the post: "So you make the call?
Letter A: Always Follow Up After every meeting where a new Scout or parent visits your unit it essential to have a follow-up conversation via phone or e-mail. It is essential because it gives the Scout/parent time to digest the information given and ask questions.
Giving Tuesday presents a great opportunity to help grow Scouting in your community. You can help create the next generation of leaders.
This is the ninth of twelve installments in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I've based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in…
________________________________________ Dear Andy, This isn't a question; I just want to comment on that letter about the Scout who was denied his Eagle rank (he'd completed all requirements as stated) by a dubious board because of his supposed "lack of Scout spirit."
In its latest CubCast and an updated Product Sales Guide, the BSA offers guidance to units about individual Scout accounts and how the IRS sees them.
Here is the first five of 50 things that every new District Executive needs to know but their Local Council Executive Staff won't tell them. This is list is based off of personal experience and in no way represents what a the BSA at either the National or Local Level would be willing to share.
Some of my favorite camping gear sees a lot of use around the house or on the job. Here's ideas for practical gifts for Scouts and Scouters nearly anyone would welcome receiving; Coffee! The first time a GSI java press showed up on a camping trip I scoffed, it seemed a little over the top.
Marching in a holiday parade with your Scouts this year? Keeping everyone safe should be tops on your wish list. Here are 16 holiday parade safety tips.
National President Dr. Robert M. Gates, Chief Scout Executive Wayne Brock and National Commissioner Tico Perez share a holiday message to the BSA family.
http://boyslife.org/tag/homemade-gifts/ View On WordPress...
This is the tenth of twelve installments in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I've based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in…
What's going on here? Write a funny caption for this photo What's going on in this picture? Why is that sign there and what does it mean? If you can think of a funny caption for this photo, just post it in the comment form at the bottom of this page.
Baloo's Bugle: Volume 21 Issue 05 - December 2014 January 2015 Core Value - Positive Attitude| Yes I Can Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
A long time ago, 1987 actually, I joined the board of directors for our local community access television station, Mel-TV. I was a member of the board for 20 years, many of those as the chairman. I retired from the board a few years before the City of Melrose decided to shut it down and…
Day and night photographs courtesy Akela Joy For the East Rand District end of year Cub Christmas Camp, Puddle Pirate Rover Crew built this pioneered Christmas Tree. All of the guests at the camp bought gifts which were used to decorate the tree and these were later donated to a charity.
Finding the perfect gift for your brainy, science-loving Scout or Venturer isn't easy. Fortunately, there's help with our STEM holiday gift guide.
Earlier this week, our troop welcomed our newest Eagle Scout, joining two others whose boards of review I participated in last week. The three new Eagles brings our troop's total to 55 over its thirty years of operation. Eagle Scout is the pinnacle of the advancement climb in Boy Scouting, but it's not the actual
While the Scout Oath and Scout Law will be used in Cub Scouts beginning next year, the current Cub Scout motto, sign, salute and handshake won't change.
It is that time of year. Time to add Christmas parties to the schedule. Time to get the gift shopping done. And for me, time to create the yearly Boy Scout Troop 68 dvd's for each member of the troop.
Here's more holiday gifts for Scouts or Scouters. These books have helped me as a Scouter and outdoorsman, they have been a source of inspiration and learning practical skills, Scouting history, outdoor lore, and the Scouting program for many years.
A Scout Is Helpful...
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.
By taking advantage of some teachable moments during the holidays, you can reinforce a spirit of giving in your Scouts and Venturers.
Boys' Life magazine was selected by readers as the Hottest Kids/Teen Magazine of 2014, according to poll results revealed by Adweek.
Bernard Russell Queneau, a 102-year-old Eagle Scout who in 1928 represented the Boy Scouts on a 3,000-mile cross-country trip on the Lincoln Highway, died.
If you're a regular reader of this website, you've heard about changes coming to the Cub Scout program. Maybe you've read our articles, or those from Scouting Magazine's blog, or attended Cub Scout Roundtable and heard about them from your friendly district Roundtable staff.
When it comes to earning merit badges, Dylan Stamm and Jake Sindelar don't mess around. The two Mid-America Council Scouts have combined to earn more than 275 of them, including the four that were only offered during the BSA's 100th anniversary year in 2010. Read more about these remarkable Scouts here. View On WordPress
What's the difference between demanding compliance and getting voluntary obedience? The answer may have a lot to do with the tone of your voice (literally and figuratively). In this podcast I answer emails about an particular Eagle Scout Board of Review , where it looks like the Eagle Scout candidate may be being set up for…
Here is the next five of 50 things that every new District Executive needs to know but their Local Council Executive Staff won't tell them. This is list is based off of personal experience and in no way represents what a the BSA at either the National or Local Level would be willing to share.
Read about one Scoutmaster's strategy for encouraging his Scouts to read Boys' Life. Then share your own ideas for how to promote the use of Boys' Life.
Every December we do our end of year Court of Honor / Christmas party and our Scouts play the LEFT / RIGHT game. I'm usually the narrator and I Google search for a story, looking for one with a Scout context. This year I just made one up. Hope it's useful for someone else, we
This is the eleventh of twelve installments in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I've based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in…
Random Acts of Kindness Ideas, Cub Scout style! Includes printables to show everyone our Cub Scout Good Turns.
The Boy Scouts of America's National Key 3-National President Dr. Robert M. Gates, Chief Scout Executive Wayne Brock, and National Commissioner Tico Perez-wish the BSA family a safe and happy holiday season.
When election time comes around, I sometimes find it frustrating watching different politicians debate. Many of them have great things to say about what they want to accomplish if they're elected, but I often want more details. I want to know how the results they describe will actually be accomplished step-by-step.
As with many other things in Scouting, some "rules" get made up as they go. Cell Phones? NO.. No electronics on Scouting Outings. Not written down anywhere from the BSA, but ask many Scouters and they will proclaim this as gospel.
(insert sarcasm) I'm not sure if our Cubmaster was trying to decorate for the holidays or what, but blood doesn't make a good choice, even if it is red. Well, what really happened started as an interesting idea for a game at the pack meeting.
Consider this your formal invitation to spend a week next summer at Philmont Training Center, the national training center of the Boy Scouts of America.
Submit your photos for a chance to be featured in Eagles' Call magazine, a quarterly publication by the National Eagle Scout Association.
________________________________________ Dear Andy, When I click on the bookmark I have for your columns, I ask myself, "How is he going to find a way to be unkind this week?" Yes, I know this isn't a discussion forum and I'm not asking a question.
It is official! Boy Scout Troop 68 of Melrose is going to Philmont Scout Ranch in the summer of 2016. Our committee chairperson received confirmation of our trek registration last week. Let the planning begin! It has been a decade since the troop went to the ranch.
Choosing great gifts for Scouts or Scouters can be a challenge, here's some of my personal favorites: Rayovac Sportsman's Lantern I've tried out several different LED lanterns, and the Rayovac Sportsman is built more solidly, is smaller, tougher, and has higher brightness and longer battery life than any of the others.
The BSA is hosting its 2015 Kindred meeting on Tuesday, February 3, at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside as part of the American Camp Association National Conference. The BSA Kindred meeting is a gathering of anyone interested in learning more about the BSA and our outdoor programs.
Thing 2's pack took part in the local holiday parade this past weekend. Thing 1 & Thing 3 joined the group as well. The weather was perfect this year, not to warm, not too cold, no rain or snow which we've had in years past.
Camping in the cold is adventurous and fun. It poses challenges and requires more training to ensure a safe, fun time spent in the winter camping. I love cold weather camping, it is perhaps some of my favorite camping. Since becoming a Scoutmaster, I have taken pride in sharing that love of winter camping with…
You've probably seen his quote, often attributed to anonymous. But the quote's author, Forest Witcraft, was anything but.
This is the twelfth installment in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I've based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in reply.
On Monday, December 15th, following the last court of honor for the year, Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68 will hold its annual troop auction.While some troops hold auctions as fundraisers, Troop 68 does things a little differently. Our auction is actually an event for the Boy Scouts to bid on prizes using "troop bucks" they…
We made a Texas snowman at the BL offices today. Pedro will never be the same.
So on just about this day, 23 years ago, I earned the Communications Merit Badge, one of the last ones I needed for Eagle. Back then, I probably had no idea how important communication realy is in our daily lives.
A boy went out to walk his dog after school one chilly December afternoon. He had homework to do, it was getting dark, and his mom was expecting him home for dinner soon. On his walk he spied a patch of red and white cloth on the ground. That looks like a flag, he thought
For many young men, the Eagle Scout Service Project is the toughest part of the journey to Eagle. Here's how to help them with Eagle project ideas.
Mark your Scout calendars for the next Kids to Parks Day: Saturday, May 16, 2015.
Here is an easy game for your December meeting. It works with almost any age group. When choosing items for the "stocking", think of all of the senses. Include something with a scent, or something which makes noise. Include it in your Christmas games this year.
Mini Wood Badge Patrol Flags are an Excellent Aid for Wood Badge Presentations! is from the ClassB® Custom T-shirts Blog Copyright © 2010 ClassB, Inc.. This feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator/feed reader, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement.
2016 Council Contingent Info It's here! 2016 council contingent information for the Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base . The Summit's a big place and there's a ton of fun and development to be had for Scouts and Venturers alike.
Happy Trails...
Just as a recap… Cold weather camping is a High Risk activity that is challenging, fun, and rewarding for those that venture into the cold weather environment. This type of camping takes discipline, skills, and a great attitude. Once leaders understand their role in accountability to those they lead, monitor behavior, and maintain the same…
Today I was putting up the Christmas lights and getting the tree ready to decorate. Carols being sung in the background and the smell of Christmas in the air. When what to my wandering mind did ah ha!!! A give away of gear!
Traditional Diagonal Lashing When putting crossed braces on a structure to keep it from racking (as used when making a trestle), the most important lashing is the Diagonal Lashing, which gets its name from the fact that the wrapping turns cross the poles diagonally.
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.
photo courtesy of Thermarest Getting a good nights sleep is an important part of any camp out, and very important when camping in the cold. Sleeping in the cold creates some anxiety in young Scouts. While the Scout is up and moving he can control his level of warmth.
Webcasts about the new Cub Scout program will cover the coming changes, how to prepare and when resources will be available.
We sometimes use the terms interchangeably. We have a boy-led troop with boy-led patrols. They read Boys' Life. "Never do anything a boy can do" is a key piece of advice, and Baden-Powell made frequent references such as "The Scoutmaster teaches boys to play by doing so himself" and "The boy is not governed by
Here is a technique for anchoring your tent. In this video, I demonstrate using a snow stake. A stick works just as well. Snow stakes are versatile and light and are worth carrying into camp. It is important to anchor your tent well.
Next week is Christmas and the following is new year's, so for the next two weeks the podcast will be on vacation right along with you as you enjoy the holidays with your friends and family . I'll return on January 5th with Podcast number 249.
Our Crew president led this jack rabbit posing game at our last meeting. It is a fun game for teenagers, but would work for other age groups also. The idea of this game is to remember different poses and to strike the correct pose quickly.
Do you have trouble coming up with great stocking stuffers for boys? I know I do! I want to buy things they'll like and use, but I don't want to spend a lot of money. I searched through several lists on Pinterest looking for items that would be awesome for our Cub Scouts. Things related
Boy Scout Logan Guleff sure has made the most of his appearance on Fox's 'MasterChef Junior,' a nationally televised cooking competition for kids.
Kate Middleton visited a newly established Scout group in east London to lend a hand to the U.K. Scout Association's "Better Prepared" campaign.
Wow! It was a lively troop auction this year. The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 seemed to like the selection of prizes and they were ready to spend their "troop bucks". (See the last post for the explanation of the troop auction and the troop bucks.)
This is the thirteenth installment in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I've based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in reply.
How to use science to make a faster pinewood derby car A former NASA engineer explains how you can use science to succeed at your next pinewood derby. For seven years, I worked at NASA on the Mars Curiosity rover.
________________________________________ Dear Andy, In our district, registration fees for district events are paid by having checks made out to an individual. The claim for doing this is so that the district, by circumventing the council's accounting system, can have direct and instant access to the funds.
I don't think I have ever gone caroling as a kid, it snowed in the winter where I grew up and going out in the cold never seemed too fun. But our Daisy scouts sure got a kick out of it, particularly with the tad warmer climate.
A little cross-posting from the troop's blog. A bit old news, but good to share. Troop 117: Newest Eagle Scout : Congratulations to the Troop's newest Eagle Scout who successfully completed his board of review on 11/4/14!
Six new Cub Scout smartphone backgrounds let you display your Cub Scout pride on your iPhone, Android phone or Windows phone.
Sixteen young chefs entered Gordon Ramsay's "MasterChef Junior," and only one left with the title of champion and a check for $100,000.
I would like to see Cub Scout Pack 68 earn the 2015 Journey To Excellence (JTE) award because I think we can do it. I made this statement during last night's pack committee meeting, and than reviewed the requirements. By the time I finished I believe the committee was in agreement with me.
Here's the "poem" I read on Podcast 248. I've had several requests for a print version of the poem I read on Podcast 248 . A PDF of the image below is available to download (link at the bottom of this post) and I have included a text version below if you'd like to print it…
Thing 3's Daisy Troop had a gift exchange or their holiday party their recent troop meeting. They used a story from another scouting website that I had come across just a few days earlier. The wife had mentioned the gift exchange at dinner one night, and I had just visited the site with the same…
In first "You Make the Call" post I made our goals that I needed to work towards completing. As a reminder the goals are as follows: Goal 1: I will make a sincere effort to say 5 positive things that happened each day.
During Scoutmaster conferences I often ask the Scout what the Scout Oath and Law mean to them. In their own words what do the values and the promises found in the Oath and Law mean. It seems that, by and large, there is a lack of knowledge in so far as defining what "Duty" means…
Boys' Life and Scouting magazine each picked Folio awards this month, meaning the BSA's magazines are some of the best around.
This is the fourteenth installment in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I've based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in reply.
It is official! The Melrose city council appropriated the funds at last month's meeting, and tonight the Melrose park board has approved the purchase of equipment needed for a nine hole disc golf course to be installed at the Sauk River Park in the spring of 2015.
Included on the list of Men's Journal's "22 Greatest Record-Breaking Feats of 2014" you'll find two Eagle Scouts.
The National Council has the following lease vehicle for sale: 2011 GMC Terrain FWD SLE – 2 Approximate miles: 62,161 Exterior color: Quicksilver Metallic Interior color: Light titanium cloth seats Asking price: $14,131 Location: National Council, Irving, TX Equipment/Features: 2.4L DOHC engine SIDI with VVT AM/FM stereo with CD/XM Radio 6-speed automatic transmission Heated front seats…
I got a draft notice last night. Well, sort of. Our council's Dean of Boy Scouts for University of Scouting e-mailed me to ask if I could teach the Strictly for Committee Chairs class, and I agreed to be drafted into service once again.
BL Workshop: Build your own #fitnessequipment #diy Build the strength and endurance to take part in all your adventures. Medicine Ball What You'll Need: An old soccer ball, volleyball or basketball Air nozzle to let the air out of the ball Pointy scissors Funnel Enough sand to fi ll the ball Screwdriver Paper towels or…
Stay Fit This Season...
