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Now & Then , the newsletter for retirees of the Boy Scouts of America, is now available online! You can find it under the BSA Newsletters header on the right. Past issues (as well as the current issue) also will be added to the Now & Then Archives link, so add it to your Bookmarks file and check…
There is a period in the history of the Boy Scouts of America that not many people like to talk about. Some of you may have heard the story before; some of you may have lived through it. I think it is vitally important for all Scouters to know because of what it teaches us…
If you had trouble viewing the Christmas caroling video, I've moved it to YouTube and it should work better now. Please visit the original post.
Our troop participated in a dutch oven cook-off today with another local troop. It is an annual event they've been doing for years to have an easy event in the busy holiday months. Earlier in the year a couple of us Scoutmasters kicked around the idea of making it a joint event this year, though…
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.
Thing 1, 2, & 3 all went to the local food bank the other day with Thing 2's pack to lend a hand and provide some service to the community. Very proud of all of them and the other cub scouts, giving a lending hand. And they said they had fun doing it as well. Awesome.
Hero of the book and film Unbroken, Louis Zamperini credits Scouting for teaching him to be prepared with lifesaving survival skills.
It's the time of year when we look back on our past experiences and accomplishments over the previous twelve months and make resolutions on what we're going to change and improve in the year ahead. In Scouting, sometimes our new year's resolutions arise out of our unit's performance on our annual Journey to Excellence evaluation.
Studying the First Aid merit badge pamphlet is great, but to really Be Prepared you need to put everything you think you know to the test. That's the idea behind the First Aid Meet, an annual event hosted by the Trailblazer District in Iowa's Mid-America Council, where hundreds of Scouts compete to see who handles…
I thought I'd share the newsletter templates I use for anyone looking for a good resource. Back when Thing 1 was a Tiger, I thought our pack could use a good newsletter to get messages out, rather than just old emails.
In a 2011 letter to a Scouting volunteer, "Unbroken" hero Louis Zamperini says, "the first good thing that happened to me was Scouting."
Troop 597's annual Christmas paddling trip took an unexpected turn over the weekend when the boys were forced into action to rescue a plane crash survivor.
The winner of the Solo stove and Solo 900 pot give away is…. I want to thank everyone for some great comments. The create the caption had me entertained for the last week and I hope you had fun with it!
Season's Greetings & Happy Holidays to all Scouts, Scouters, & families around the world! Visit Scout.org for more greetings cards.
In this season of peace take a moment to consider your connection, as a Scouter, to the lofty goal set by our founder: ”¦ let us go forth from here fully determined that we will develop among ourselves and our boys that comradeship, through the world-wide spirit of the Scout Brotherhood so that we may help…
________________________________________ Here's what a reader recently had to say about Eagle Scouts… Most last-minute Eagles think the rank will help them in the future, particularly getting into the military academies. These last-minute opportunists dilute the accomplishments of real Eagle Scouts. I remember hearing, at a troop meeting, "Who's that guy?"
Who won the 2014 Boysie Videogame Awards? So many incredible videogames came out this year that narrowing them down to the best was tough work. But let the trumpets sound: Here are the Boysies! BEST WII U GAME Mario Kart 8 Some might say it's only another Mario Kart game.
Skiing In A Winter Wonderland...
Like most packs I imagine, ours is bad about keeping records and passing info along. I hope our website and handbooks do some of that, but some details get lost over the years (for instance, just about anything prior to 2009 when our first son joined is unknown to me).
Merry Christmas! If you're celebrating today, I hope you have a great day surrounded by family, and a blessed year ahead. This tree is decorated with Monkey's Fists , tied in 8mm sisal rope, with eye-spliced ends.
________________________________________ Hi Andy, I just gotta know! When can we expect to see more of "A Winter Tale"? You've done a great job with the first two parts. They remind me a lot of the old fiction stories about Scouts from about the time of WWI.
Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! I would especially like to thank everyone that subscribes to the blog. Thanks for hanging in there for another year. Welcome to all the new subscribers. I hope that you find something in this that you can use in life and in delivering the…
The ninth edition of the Boy Scout Handbook was the one I used as a scout. It holds a special place in my heart because of that. I've read that is one of the better versions, written by "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt.
If you’re interested in being a part of the outstanding Pioneering Staff at the 2017 National Jamboree, you can reach the director of the Pioneering Area, James Keller, by sending us an email . Please include your contact information and someone will get in touch with you with further information. 2013 National Jamboree Pioneering Staff
So did you get any holiday gifts with a scouting theme? With cold weather upon us, some good polyester or wool clothing is a good idea. There are several good books for scouters to be read. And camping gear is always good, particularly if found on sale this time of year.
I mentioned in my last post the ninth edition was the one I grew up on. Because of that personal experience, to me it epitomizes the scouting experience. Though I do like the current version as well, there are somethings it doesn't seem to cover as well (though I'm sure it has better information on…
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.
375 posts. 14,000 comments. 4 million page views. 2014 was a great year for Scouting, and — thanks to loyal readers like you — for Bryan on Scouting.
I'm truly fortunate to have so many readers and followers here on Bobwhite Blather. I get a little kick out of seeing visitor statistics, a new follower on Twitter or a subscriber to the e-mail list. It's good to know that my fellow Scouters are finding value in what they find here, and keep coming…
At mass the other day, the priest gave is homily reflection on the Gospel reading that had just been heard, about Jesus being born in the manger. He reflected on how the story is ancient, thousands of years old, yet we hear it again each year and it is made new.
The Christmas holiday is over and the new year is just a day away. The year of 2014 is coming to an end and like a lot of people I am looking back at its highlights. There are a few that stand out in my Scouting world.
Here is our troop’s year round camping summary for 2014: 1) Jan – Ice fishing/winter camping on Rockport Reservoir 2) Feb – Winter camping at Little Sahara 3) Apr – Meadow Hot Springs and Lava Tubes at Tabernacle Hill 4) May – 5th annual Backpack outing to Rudy’s Flat 5) Jun – Backpacking to Diamond Fork Hot Springs 6) Jul…
So, here's what I'm hearing at my house. "Mom, I'm bored! The only fun thing to do is play on my electronics!" Are you hearing that too? I searched through my blog posts looking for activities that kids could do while they're still out of school for the holidays. These boredom buster games and activities
________________________________________ Dear Andy, I'm the Chartered Organization Representative and Committee Chair for our troop. I'm looking for the best way to communicate with the troop, the parents, and the troop committee. We have "Scoutlander" and it's just not user-friendly. Some want "Scout Track," but I don't want advancement tracking because that's done through our council service…
Drawn by the same illustrator as "Scouts in Action," "Scouters in Action" recognizes adults who have saved lives while risking their own.
...or so they say (note the laughter of the other scouters in the picture). Now I know scouting is what you make it. So one hour a week might work for some. But if you are really engaged and active, it's probably more than that.
