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Happy New Year!...
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…
Scout is alive and well in the world, and it all ties back to the basic principles started by Baden-Powell. I'm very novice on my knowledge of scouting outside of the USA, I'm sure the basic concepts are similar (following a Scout Oath and Scout Law).
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 …
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.
The end of 2014 brings with it a new resource for the often "hidden" Scouter – merit badge counselors. MBCs tend to escape our notice sometimes because many are not regular Scouters. There's no requirement that a MBC be registered in a unit. Anyone over the age of eighteen with the requisite experience in the subject
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".
In my career field, a classic tome is Sutton's Rocket Propulsion Elements , which covers a broad range of academic theory and experimental results from industry. It is a good starter primer on the topic. However, at work we have a presentation called "What Sutton didn't tell you" to cover a lot of the practical application…
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.
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.
Current and former Summit Bechtel Reserve staffers are invited to become charter members of the Summit Bechtel Reserve Staff Association.
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
Goats in a tree? Write a funny caption for this photo! What's going on in this picture? What are those goats doing in that tree and what are they thinking? If you can think of a funny caption for this photo, just post it in the comment form at the bottom of this page.
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…
Mark your calendar for the upcoming webcasts with all the latest details about the new Cub Scout program!
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…
January 2015 Winter Camp Scout Leader First Aid Cafe Press Items Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
So I have what is close to a 5-year plan. And I've had one for several years, and it slowly evolves as the years tick by. But I've often wondered if it is a selfish plan, you see most of it simply involves what awards I can earn for myself.
Long overdue for videos that are accurate and revealing, what follows are the first twelve. In addition to YouTube, they’re on Vimeo, which is bereft of the distracting clutter, advertisements, and irrelevant links: HOW-TO VIDEOS How to Tie a BUTTERFLY KNOT How to Tie a CLOVE HITCH and HALF HITCHES How to Tie a DOUBLE…
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.
For the first time in BSA history, six Eagle-required merit badge pamphlets are available in Spanish.
Most of you will have read the series "A New Scoutmaster" I started publishing this fall ( here's the first chapter ). Because of the overwhelmingly positive response I expanded the story past the original twelve chapters, edited, expanded what I had already written and I am happy to offer the result in my new book So…
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…
Minecraft-themed pinewood derby cars are super popular this year. In pinewood derbies across the country, Cub Scouts are racing Steve, Enderman and Creeper cars inspired by the Minecraft video game. Take a look at these awesome Minecraft pinewood derby cars, and then send us a photo of your pinewood derby car using the form at…
If you're a member of the Eagle Patrol of Troop 9226 in Afton, Minnesota, then you've accomplished a lot in your Scouting career. All seven boys in the Eagle Patrol joined Scouting together as Cub Scouts in elementary school, and now, all seven are Eagle Scouts.
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…
Help a Philmont mini-bear find food as it leaps from tree to tree in BL's newest game! Help one of Philmont Scout Ranch's infamous mini-bears gather food as it leaps from tree to tree in the Philmont Mini-Bear Dash.
Preview some Yummies! I can't wait! Thing 3 will be taking orders starting Saturday!
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.
________________________________________ 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.
On Saturday, Jan. 17, the hourlong Cub Scout webcasts will cover the coming changes, how to prepare and when resources will be available.
Here are some ways to conduct the 1-foot hike for the Tiger Cub Scout required adventure, Backyard Jungle.
This printable checkoff sheet for the Signs, Signals, and Codes to keep track of your patrol's progress. (...) Continue reading the article at http://scoutermom.com/16617/signs-signals-codes-merit-badge-boy-scouts-checkoff-sheet/
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…
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…
James Valentine, guitarist for the Grammy-winning band Maroon 5, is an Eagle Scout.
A new Cub Scouting program is launching June 1, 2015, that will be more fun and exciting for boys, and easier to implement for unit leaders. To ensure you are ready to make the transition, a series of webcasts will be hosted on January 17 to outline the coming changes, how to prepare, and when…
Did you cast a vote in the 2014 November-December "Where Am I?" Contest? See if you were selected as the lucky winner, and check out the newest geography contest.
The best bird identification guide for Cub Scouts whose leaders aren't bird watchers!
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.
Here's a difference from scouting of my dad's era and today. This is an image out of the fifth edition handbook, circa 1948. It shows a similar left handed handshake, but with interlaced little fingers ("pinky finger"). Interesting!
Jake Pritchard, an 11-year-old Cub Scout from Fair Oaks, California, didn't panic when his dad fell and seriously injured his head during a rappelling trip to Putah Creek State Wildlife Area. Instead, the boy kept calm and called 911, and now his father - though seriously injured - is recovering at a hospital.
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.
Talking to your teenage Scouts and Venturers about awkward topics isn't easy. Here's help.
Cub Scouting can improve the character of boys, according to new research from Tufts University doctoral candidate Dan Warren.
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…
Tomorrow is the Pinewood Derby for Thing 2's pack. Just put the final touches on his car and marked in the wheels. We'll see how he does. He never wants to put that extra effort in to really sand it down smooth, go crazy with the paint, or put that extra glossy finish on it.
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.
Sometimes Troop 707 Scouts get only a few hours notice before heading out for the coldest weekend of the year. It's called the Misery Campout.
So with the Pinewood Derby tomorrow we themed the pack meeting by bringing in a real race car driver and his car. Now, we aren't talking NASCAR, but a local SCCA driver with his totally suped-up Honda Fit. The kids still got real excited about it, particularly when he was talking and answering questions and…
One of my eagerly anticipated Christmas gifts to get into was Scoutmaster Clarke Green's A Scouting Journey. At a little over 100 pages, it is a short and easy read (I got through it during the 6-hour ride from Sacramento to Los Angeles during a vacation trip).
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.
Want to give your son an edge in your pack's upcoming Pinewood Derby race? Head to your nearest Lowe's for Dremel Pinewood Derby Days.
Eagle Scout Matthew Failor credits Scouting with preparing him for the hardships of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, kicking off March 7.
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.
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…
So the big day final came, the Pinewood Derby. Now, this wasn't my first rodeo, I've run the event since 2010 for my son's pack. But this year I helped train some other guys and let them run the show, which was a pretty big relief.
Unofficial merit badge worksheets hasten the process of earning a merit badge, but are they allowed or encouraged by the Boy Scouts of America?
For the National Geographic Mission: Animal Rescue Contest, Scouts demonstrated how they help save the lives of animals and educate others about nature.
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…
February 2015 KNOTS Caption Contest! 3 Ways to Enter: KNOTS BLOG | Facebook Page | Email 1) Contest runs until January 28th, 2015 2) Enter your captions and theme or title ideas 3) Enter as many times as you like 4) Name and email are required Copyright - U.S.
________________________________________ 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…
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.
The Boy Scouts of America's symbols, including the Scout uniform you wear every week, are protected under U.S. trademark law. Here's what that means.
Eagle Scouts can earn one Eagle palm for every five merit badges beyond the 21 required. He can earn Eagle palms as quickly as one palm every three months.
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…
Each year all (I assume) of the local BSA councils have a "Friends of Scouting" campaign to raise money to support the daily administrative functions the council provides, as well as maintain their camps and facilities that the scouts use for summer camp and such activities.
The rumors are true: Martin Luther King Jr. was a Boy Scout. He was registered as a member of Troop 151, which met at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
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
The lottery application period is open for the next 30 days for Florida Sea Base treks in 2016. My troop is definitely going to put in for some options. I'm waiting to hear back from the scouts on which ones we should do.
So much in life these days is simulated that something real and authentic stands out. Thank goodness for Scouting, says Eagle Scout Steven Madigan.
I went to our district Roundtable meeting tonight to hear about the Cub Scout program changes schedule to go into effect on June 1 this year. Cub Scouts as we currently know the program will significantly change the advancement portion of the program, and modify the ideals slightly.
For the third year in a row, Boys' Life magazine has earned a coveted Parents’ Choice Approved Award.
A day of fun hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains for Laurie Leslie and her son Devon turned into a nightmare. Good thing Boy Scout Emery Benson was there.
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…
Dodge This...
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.
Food pantries exist to help those who aren't fortunate enough to know where their next meal will come from. But who helps the food pantries? Pete Kivela, a Boy Scout from New Milford, Connecticut, recently earned his Eagle rank in part because of his project that involved renovating a local food pantry.
I recently took my councils "Cold Weather Awareness" class, or at least the indoor lecture part, the practical outdoor session is later this month. A recommended resource for the class is the BSA's Okpik: Cold Weather Camping book. It is still in print as you can see from the link, but I haven't seen it…
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.
The better part of valor is discretion, in the which better part I have sav'd my life." – Falstaff in the Henry IV, William Shakespeare. It is not often that we get placed in situations in Scouting that call for serious decisions to be made, decisions that may be the difference between fun and adventure and…
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.
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.
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).
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,
Did you know Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Boy Scout? Read about it here . It is also the National Day of Service . Of course its not a day off work for me, but we do have a troop meeting tonight, so I'll be helping others at some point today.
Once you become a Scouter, what's next? What five things can you do to make the best of your opportunity as a Scouter? Whether you are just starting out, or have been around for awhile, let's get the new year off on the right foot by thinking about making the best of our opportunities!
The opening ceremony opens the meeting, and the closing ceremony closes it. But what happens between? Share your troop meeting schedule here.
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.
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
A 15-year-old Boy Scout from Louisa, Virginia, didn't like the idea of bugs messing with his fruits and vegetables. So he's unleashing some bats. Andrew Morris is working with the local parks and rec department to install bat houses at six different locations.
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!
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.
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.
The three-volume Program Features for Troops, Teams and Crews is your youth leaders' go-to resource for planning a fun and engaging program.
I am the assistant Scribe for Wood Badge Course W1-492-15. This is my third time staffing Wood Badge and I am super excited to once again have the opportunity to help the participants get the very most out of their Wood Badge experience.
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 …
Andy Gao, a Boy Scout from Freehold Township, New Jersey, is good with computers. So it makes perfect sense that, for his Eagle Scout project, he built six computers for a local community center. "Students are required to use technology, such as computers, for homework and research," Andy told a local newspaper.
I got picked by my lodge as one of the adult leaders to go help get the scouts to and through NOAC this year. I'm super stoked! Being the 100th anniversary of the OA, this one is bound to be amazing.