Scout Sunday 2015 is Feb. 8 (opens in a new tab)
On Scout Sunday 2015 — Feb. 8 — uniformed Scouts and Scouters will greet the congregation, participate in worship services and receive religious awards.
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January 2015
149 posts, oldest first.
Posts in January 2015
Recapping the Jan. 17 Cub Scout webcasts (opens in a new tab)
Couldn't tune in to the Cub Scout webcasts? Use the links here to view the webcasts at your convenience and get up to speed.
Woods Wisdom: The Next Generation (opens in a new tab)
How does your troop program planning go? Some troops take last year's calendar and just copy it, doing the same things each month. Others get together, rack their brains to think of new things to do but generally keep some key activities from year to year and rotate a couple other activities in and out.
For these swimmers, achieving Eagle is the norm (opens in a new tab)
Many of the athletes on the swim team at Gig Harbor High School in Washington state have one thing in common: They're either Eagle Scouts, or on their way to becoming Eagle Scouts. This year, eight swimmers are either Eagle Scouts, or on their way to achieving that lofty rank.
Let it glow: A look at naturally glowing plants and animals (opens in a new tab)
Take a look at naturally glowing plants and animals Scientifically speaking, bioluminescence - the giving off of light from a living organism - is a reaction caused from combinations of chemicals. But it's so much more: It's a wild light show in nature.
Make this bottle-cap disc-golf game (opens in a new tab)
Make a bottle-cap disc-golf game With a tin can and paper clips, make a mini disc-golf basket. Toss bottle caps into the basket to score points! What You'll Need: 28- to 32-ounce tin can Can opener Ruler Fine-tipped marker Tin snips Work gloves Drill 1?4?
Cub Scout Germ Magnet Game (opens in a new tab)
Play this version of the Germ Magnet game to teach Cub Scouts how important proper handwashing is.
2015 Paul R. Christen HAB FREE Custom Shirts Promotion (opens in a new tab)
We are excited to present our special springtime promotional offer! When your qualifying crew signs up for the 2015 Paul R. Chris ten High Adventure Base season…each crew member will get a FREE Summit shirt!!! How cool is that?!?! Not only will this shirt be exclusive to this promotion BUT you will be automatically entered…
Throwback Thursday: Troop 62 Canoe Trip (opens in a new tab)
Boy scouting in the 1980's. Oscar de la Renta design uniforms. Red berets. Wow! Here are some pics from a canoe trip we took when I was a youth. I don't remember which river it was, somewhere in Northeast Ohio during the summer.
Digitizing medical records? Don't do it, BSA says (opens in a new tab)
Digitizing medical records is a no-no, BSA says. Records are not to be digitized, scanned, sent by email or stored electronically by unit leaders.
Video: A Brief History of Cub Scouting (opens in a new tab)
The three-minute video's title — "A Brief History of Cub Scouting" — says it all. It's a nice overview for new Cub Scouters and Cub Scouting veterans alike.
Skylanders Trap Team: Midnight Museum - Dark Element Expansion Pack review (opens in a new tab)
Skylanders Trap Team: Midnight Museum – Dark Element Expansion Pack review SKYLANDERS TRAP TEAM: MIDNIGHT MUSEUM DARK ELEMENT Gameplay: 7.5 Graphics: 8.9 Sound: 8.5 Replay Value: 5.5 Overall Score: 8.0 Pros: Knight Mare is very cool; creepy, elegant world; decent puzzles.
Farewell to Our Webelos II Den - Your Bridge Awaits (opens in a new tab)
I just wanted to say "farewell" to all the Webelos II that bridged over into Boy Scouts tonight. You've completed and awesome journey and more adventures await. The pack will miss all the fun and crazy energy your den had.
100th Post! (opens in a new tab)
That is all. Carry on.
Child Safety Scenarios for Cub Scouts (opens in a new tab)
Practice scenarios to keep your child safe. This is a required Wolf Cub Scout Adventures.
This Day in History: 1908 (opens in a new tab)
January 24th, 1908: Robert Baden-Powell publishes the first installment of Scouting for Boys and begins the Boy Scout movement (Brownsea was held earlier in 1907 though, so that might be considered the start). What follows over the course of the next century is incredible. Find out more by visiting the History Channel
B.P.'s Blog – Real Camping (opens in a new tab)
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.
4th Annual Yeti Hang
This weekend I took to the mountain for the 4th Annual Yeti Winter Hang with the Cascade Hangers. It is a great Hammock hanging event where we talk gear, hang out, and have a lot of fun. Clearly a non Scouting event, but the gear, the camping, and the fun are reason enough for every…
Clear and Colorful Instructional Videos (opens in a new tab)
Long overdue for videos that are accurate and revealing, what follows are the first fifteen. 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 CARRICK BEND How to Tie a CLOVE HITCH and HALF…
Seahawks President Peter McLoughlin is an Eagle Scout (opens in a new tab)
Long before leading the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl in back-to-back seasons, Seahawks president Peter McLoughlin became an Eagle Scout.
Top 5 merit badge books to get you through the blizzard (opens in a new tab)
With a blizzard on the way, check out five Boy Scout merit badge books to help you get through unscathed.
Q&A: More on SSNs, counselor ID numbers (opens in a new tab)
Time now for a couple more questions from readers. Social Security numbers in troop records From a troop committee chair: Troopmaster has a place in the adult records for a leader's social security number. Should we be recording the SSNs of our adults? It seems to me like that's private information. A unit has no
Blue and Gold, Webelos Crossover, and Arrow of Light Ceremony Ideas (opens in a new tab)
Mark sent in this question: I wanted to get an idea of how other Cub Scout packs handle Blue & Gold/AOL/Crossover events. Traditionally, our pack has held this entire event on one night with a dinner, cake decorating, and mainly used it to recognize our Webelos 2's who are moving on to Boy Scout troops.
Podcast 252 – Merit Badge Books? (opens in a new tab)
What do you think? In this week's podcast I'll answer email questions about anxious Scouts, liability insurance , cell phones and whether we should be using merit badge books or unofficial work sheets and workbooks. The Big Three Resources every Scouter should read BSA statement on liability insurance Article on merit badge workbooks and worksheets.
Podcast 253 – Shared Expecations (opens in a new tab)
When a Scout takes on a position of responsibility … … we'll discuss and agree on a set of shared expectations, and begin what will be an open dialog for their tenure in that position. Reconciling what a Scout did or did not do before a Scoutmaster took on the role is one of the things we'll…
BSA adds Honor Guard patch for Boy Scouts (opens in a new tab)
For years, Boy Scout Honor Guards have added reverence, dignity and patriotism to events. Now there's an Honor Guard patch to recognize this important role.
Matt Moniz wins Outdoor Inspiration Award (opens in a new tab)
Matt Moniz, Eagle Scout and superstar climber, added one more honor to his ever-lengthening résumé: Youth winner of the Outdoor Inspiration Award.
Positions of Responsibility (opens in a new tab)
Get a PDF version of this infographic below. I've written extensively about developing youth leadership but this article focuses on how our youth leaders are selected. Before we delve into specifics let's agree that there's a danger of losing the distinction between suggestions, rules and regulations, and mandated practices.
Be Prepared for Weather Changes When Camping (opens in a new tab)
Play this fun game to help your Cub Scouts learn what to do in severe weather situations that might occur while you're camping.
Climb To The Top (opens in a new tab)
Climb To The Top...
So you want to change the world? (opens in a new tab)
The Movement has already, in the comparatively short period of its existence, established itself onto a wide and so strong a footing as to show most encouraging promise of what may be possible to it in the coming years. Its aim is to produce healthy, happy, helpful citizens, of both sexes, to eradicate the prevailing…
Scouts, Venturers, create 3-D-printed hands (opens in a new tab)
Scouts and Venturers in Baltimore are making 3-D-printed hands to send to refugees and others in need around the world.
Eagle Scouts with Super Bowl ties (opens in a new tab)
I found at least 12 Eagle Scouts with Super Bowl ties, include a New England Patriots offensive lineman and the president of the Seattle Seahawks.
I ? MN (opens in a new tab)
A few fun things to do in MN when it gets really cold. Don't you wish you were here instead of on that silly vacation to FL, Mexico, or wherever you went? .
NASA's Day of Rememberance (opens in a new tab)
Today is NASA's " Day of Remembrance " to honor those astronauts who've lost their lives in our pursuit of science and exploration. I mention it here because many astronauts start out as Boy Scouts, and many were Eagle Scouts. There's a pretty thorough list at USSSP .
Cub Scout Skits for Campfires (opens in a new tab)
Need a quick and easy Cub Scout skit? Check these out!
It's Klondike derby season; have you had yours? (opens in a new tab)
It's Klondike derby season; have you had yours? Klondike derbies are great. You get to have fun in the snow by also learning and practicing essential Scout skills, and you get to compete against your friends and talk all kinds of smack if you win.
Today in History: Jan. 28, 1969 (opens in a new tab)
Read a story about how Mikano Lodge received a letter from Astronaut (and Eagle Scout) Jim Lovell. The letter included a lodge flap that went into space with him on a mission (he was a member of the lodge as a scout). A fitting story to tie in NASA's Day of Remembrance .
BSA alternative requirements benefit Scouts with disabilities (opens in a new tab)
BSA alternative requirements benefit Scouts or Venturers with documented disabilities. So they can be a Cub Scout past age 11 and a Boy Scout past 18.
Autistic Scout's message: "You are not alone" (opens in a new tab)
Autistic Scout's message: "You are not alone" Michael Whary is a 16-year-old Boy Scout from Ohio who also happens to be autistic. For his Eagle project, he created a video that looks like it came straight from the heart: a message to others who have dealt with autism - "You are not alone."
10 Ways to Develop Youth leadership
1. Promote Ownership If youth leadership is actually responsible for the running the program, (meetings, outings, the whole megillah), they must have sense of ownership. Without ownership they will not have a sense of responsibility. 2. Praise publicly, criticize privately Critique and advice are tempered by a sense of care and support and quietly offered.
Calvin Coolidge: The President and the Scout (opens in a new tab)
In July, 1924, tragedy struck America's first family. President Coolidge and Boy Scouts Calvin Jr., the son of President Calvin Coolidge, died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 16 from blood poisoning. Coolidge was devastated, and the whole country mourned with him.
Elian's Good Turn: Scout shows kindness toward a stranger (opens in a new tab)
If you ever need a reminder that there are still good people in this world, look to Scouting and Elian's Good Turn. This awesome example happened last week.
This Is Why We Do Hard Things (opens in a new tab)
I was checking in with a few of my favorite scouting websites earlier this week and came across this post from Brad’s Blog . Reposted below, it’s a letter from a mom who is thanking her son’s Scout leaders for helping him summit a mountain — a BIG mountain.
Scouts help residents dig out after snowstorm (opens in a new tab)
Snowmageddon 2015 may not have been all it was expected to be, but that doesn't mean there aren't people who need help. Time to send in the Boy Scouts. Across the Northeast, Scouts are digging out fire hydrants , shoveling driveways and sidewalks , and making sure older residents are OK . View On WordPress
Scouting is Both (opens in a new tab)
Laced in and through Scouting’s multifarious opportunities is the nurturing of good character, the development of cooperative leadership, and citizen training. Of course, there are also numerous adventures and experiences that are uniquely fun and contribute to a host of treasured memories that last a lifetime.
Born To Be A Scout
Now here is a video that will put a smile on your face! Published by Larry Green from over at www.scoutpioneering.com this is a collection of photos illustrating some features of the Boy Scouts of America's multifaceted Program, set to the Music, "Born to Be a Scout" by The Alex Boye' Review.
Trip To The Police Station (opens in a new tab)
Most people are quite happy to never have to visit a police station. Seeing one on a television show is just fine with them. The Boy Scouts of Troop 68 think a little differently. They were happy to pay a visit to the local station.
Saturday Book Review: The Commissioner's Corner (opens in a new tab)
The Commissioner's Corner by F. Darnall Daley Jr. is another Christmas gift I asked for and received this year. It is a collection of essays and articles originally published in a council newsletter. He wrote the articles during his tenure as the Council Commissioner over the span of a few decades, and republished them as…