Posts in January 2015

New Year 2015 (opens in a new tab)

The Scoutmaster Minute · archived copy

Well, here we are. The closing of the curtain of one year, the opening of another allowing us to move on to the next. It has been a great year for the Schleining's. We count ourselves as blessed. Looking back at the year that we fondly take a look back at and we can rest…

2014 in review (opens in a new tab)

Scouter Adam · archived copy

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog. Here's an excerpt: The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 19,000 times in 2014. If it were a …

20 Questions (opens in a new tab)

The Scoutmaster Minute · archived copy

picture from adorepics.com So lets start the New Year off right… looking back and learning from the past and setting goals for a better future. Knowing who you are and where you want to go. Setting a vision for the new year and seeing it to reality.

Minor updates (opens in a new tab)

Jeff's Scouting Blog ·

I made some minor updates to the blog today, adding labels to all the posts so that areas of interest can be found in the history. For instance maybe you only want to see articles on "Cub Scouts" or the topic of "Leadership".

Guilt by association (opens in a new tab)

The Scoutmaster Minute · archived copy

You can judge a man by the company he keeps"-Euripides Guilty as charged. The company we keep, tan shirts, dedicated to being good Citizens, men of Character, and Fit. I have heard this saying all my life. You are judged, as unpopular an opinion as that is these days, by the company that we keep.

Wolf program changes (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

Last month we presented an article on the changes coming later this year to the Tiger program in Cub Scouting. We'll continue with an overview of changes to the next level, the Wolf program. As I mentioned previously, the website Cub Scout Ideas, edited by Sherry Smotherman-Short, has a great overview of the new program

Podcast 249 – So Far, So Good! (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

So Far, So Good! Lot's of catching up to do! It's nice to be back after a two week hiatus! In this podcast I'll tell you about my new book, So Far, So Good! and answer email questions about how to keep a vision for all age divisions of Scouting, the program changes coming this…

Exploring and LFL Certification Now Available-Meet the First Recipients (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Wire · archived copy

Interested in the Learning for Life and Exploring certifications? Professionals of all tenures and titles can choose to attend one or both of the Exploring and Learning for Life Curriculum Based certification courses offered throughout the country. The BSA and LFL professionals who complete the courses will be recognized locally and their personnel record will…

Fiscal Management Training Courses to be Offered in 2015

Scouting Wire ·

The Fiscal Management I course is designed to give council staff and volunteers a greater understanding of the fiscal management and administrative processes of a local council. The greatest benefits from this course occur when the Scout executive and accounting specialist attend together as well as the council treasurer or other finance volunteers.

Commissioners: Kick Off 2015 at Florida Sea Base Conference! (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Wire · archived copy

A Commissioner Training Conference will be held at the Florida Sea Base from January 18-23. This conference is designed to provide an open forum for sharing best practices and current ideas for commissioners at all levels of the BSA. Whether you directly serve a unit, serve as a roundtable commissioner, or as an administrative commissioner…

Hit the Ground Running This Year With Council Planning Data

Scouting Wire ·

Now that 2015 is upon us, the Performance Management Department is providing various demographic data specific to each council. Two files are available for download from MyBSA: The Demographic and Income Profile provides information about the population in the council area, including: Estimates for 2014 and projections for 2019 Race and ethnicity data Educational attainment…

Your Vision

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

Ok.. you have had a few days to look over and answer your 20 Questions . I honestly hope that you took some time to answer the questions for yourself. It is said that the average New Years resolution lasts 9 days.

Issue 430 – January 7, 2015 (opens in a new tab)

Ask Andy ·

________________________________________ Happy New Year Andy, As a regular reader, I've been able to serve as a more effective commissioner. I got a "paycheck" last night that I want to share with you. It was at an Eagle court of honor for a Scout that had needed help navigating around some adults.

Encourage Youth to Join Our Scouting Research Panels

Scouting Wire ·

To provide the best programs for our members, the Testing and Evaluation Team conducts surveys from time to time to learn their opinions on various Scouting issues. Please encourage your youth members (14 years of age or older), volunteers, Boy Scout parents, and Cub Scout parents to join our research panel by including the suggested…

OA Establishes Centurion Award as Part of Centennial Celebration (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Wire · archived copy

As part of the Order of the Arrow's centennial anniversary, the Centurion Award has been made available for local lodges to submit nominations. The Centurion Award aims to highlight "Hometown Heroes," or Arrowmen who have meaningfully contributed to the forming, maturing, and ongoing operational excellence of their local council's lodge, and who, in doing so…

Philmont Dining Fly Infographic

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

The Philmont dining fly or crew tarp is a 12′ by 12′ nylon tarp rigged for simple, easy setup. Hiking sticks or trekking poles can be used as poles, eight stakes and three paracord lines are all else that's required.

Learning For Life: January Newsletter is Out

Scouting Wire ·

Click to open the January issue The January issue of the Learning for Life newsletter has been published and is now available online. In this issue, you can read more about Distinguished Council Award due dates, 2015 Growth Kits, 2015 Law Enforcement Exploring Academies, and more.

Your Chance To Voice Your Opinion On Scouting (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

The BSA programs are changing . Some have already happened, some are happening now, and some are still to come. Since you're part of Scouting, you probably have some opinions, one way or the other. Here's your chance to make them heard - by signing up for the Scouting Research Panels , a series of surveys used by…

The Hypo Wrap

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

The start of treatment for a person going into Hypothermia is the Hypo Wrap. Hypothermia is an extremely dangerous condition where the victim or casualty's core body temperature drops below 95 degrees (F). The persons condition can deteriorate rapidly so a prompt response is required.

Why keep score? (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

The game of Scouting that we play is indeed a game. We hope that our boys are having fun, and one of the best ways to have fun is to play a game. William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt was the first to describe Scouting as a game with a purpose.

Podcast 250- What is an Eagle Scout? (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

This questions starts some pretty dramatic conversations! In this week's podcast I'll explain my answer to the question ‘What is an Eagle Scout?' in Scoutmastership in Seven Minutes or Less and answer two email questions about Eagle Scout advancement . Music on this week's podcast Born to Be a Scout Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers Get The…

What is an Eagle Scout?

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

Asking "what is an Eagle Scout?" sparks interesting conversations among Scouters. This question got me wrapped around my own axle for a few years; but not anymore. Conversations about Eagle Scout commonly unfold like an operatic libretto. The curtain rises on the chorus singing about how once proud standards have fallen because now just anyone…

Issue 431 – January 13, 2015 (opens in a new tab)

Ask Andy ·

________________________________________ Dear Andy, A Life Scout in my troop informed me last week that his Eagle project was complete and that he'd like to have a Scoutmaster conference with me. While I was aware that the project was in the works, I was surprised to find out it had been completed, because no one in the…

The Uniform (opens in a new tab)

The Scoutmaster Minute · archived copy

As a Scout Leader we rely on the methods to achieve the goals of Scouting, Citizenship, Character, and Fitness. The methods are an important part of the process to reach our youth and move them towards being good adults. "The Boy Scouts of America has always been a uniformed body.

More commemorative America the Beautiful Quarters are on the way. Since 2010, five new quarters per... (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

More commemorative America the Beautiful Quarters are on the way. Since 2010, five new quarters per year have been released in the order that each national site was established. In 2015, the U.S. Mint will introduce quarters for Homestead National Monument, Kisatchie National Forest, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge and Saratoga National…

A future Scout? (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

Waiting at the mall for a table at a restaurant last week, I saw a young boy, probably three years old, spot a piece of paper on the floor. Very matter-of-factly, he walked over and picked up the paper. He was already headed toward the trash can when his mother cautioned him that he shouldn't

Boys' Life Earns Parents' Choice Magazine Award (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

For more than 35 years, the Parents' Choice Foundation has been helping parents find quality products for their kids. And for the third consecutive year, Boys' Life has earned a coveted Parents' Choice Approved Award . What does this mean? Quite simply, we've always felt that parents can trust Boys' Life to provide a quality, engaging…

Time for a 3 a.m. post (opens in a new tab)

Jeff's Scouting Blog ·

Thing 1's troop is at a rock climbing overnight class. So I'm sitting here watching them, trying to stay awake. Trying to do the ideal scoutmaster thing and just sit here and observe, watch for safety issues, and just let them do their thing.

Boy Scout Saves a Life; Gets on TV (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

Not surprisingly, a Scout saving someone's life isn't all that rare . Still, it's nice to see one of our own recognized outside of the nurturing biosphere of Scouting. Emery Benson, a Scout from Maryville, Tennessee, was recently featured on The Meredith Vieira Show , one of TV's most popular daytime talk shows.

B.P.'s Blog – Nature Study

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

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.

Why we Salute (opens in a new tab)

The Scoutmaster Minute · archived copy

Over the years I have various discussions as to why we salute in Scouting. The question or discussion typically stems from a misunderstanding of what the salute means. Many of the discussions try to compare the Boy Scouts with the Military.

A Little Reunion (opens in a new tab)

Jeff's Scouting Blog ·

I few months back I posted a pic from my first trip to Philmont . Then I found 4 of my long, lost crew mates and patrol members through Facebook (well, they weren't really lost, I just moved away for college and then across the country for a job and lost track of everyone).

Put passion in your presentation (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

Former president Bill Clinton has acquired the title of "Explainer-in-Chief" recently, for his talks and speeches clarifying the current administration's actions and policies. Mr. Clinton has the ability to relate complex subjects in a manner that can speak to a large audience. Regardless of how you may personally feel about Mr. Clinton and his messages,

Mölkky Game (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

Mölkky (pronounced mulkey) is a Finnish game reminiscent of kyykkä, a centuries-old form of skittles. Mölkky is easy to learn, and can be played indoors or out. The pins and throwing stick for mölkky can be made from tree limbs or sticks approximately 2 1/2″ in diameter.

Cub Scouts Birdhouse Plans (opens in a new tab)

Cub Scout Ideas ·

Building a birdhouse is such a great opportunity for our all of our boys. They learn about taking something simple, such as wood, and turning it into something useful. They learn about using tools safely. And they learn about helping other creatures. In the new Cub Scout Adventure program, our Tigers will build a birdhouse

Send in your comments (opens in a new tab)

Jeff's Scouting Blog ·

I turned on the comments capability to everyone, since I seem to have a small following. If you care to comment, go right ahead. Just keep it clean and scout-like. It is moderated to keep out spam, so your comment may not show right away. Cheers!

Why? (opens in a new tab)

The Scoutmaster Minute · archived copy

Last night at our Patrol Leaders Council meeting we discussed the most recent camp out, or I should say camp out attempt. To recap, the weather got real bad, gear got wet, we assessed the risk and bailed out…in a nut shell.

What Causes Leader Burnout? (opens in a new tab)

Jeff's Scouting Blog ·

Many sources will tell you doing too much will cause leader burnout. Don't let one person do all the work or take on too much, they'll burn out. Many hands make light work, so spread the load. That may be well and true, and I know having help is good and necessary.

Best Two Hours (opens in a new tab)

Scouter Adam · archived copy

Our Council has a singular program for Training the Board Chairs for Eagle Scout Boards of Review and Sea Scouts Quartermaster Boards of Review. I do not believe that other Councils have this type of program. I first wrote about …