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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.
We had a successful University of Scouting training event in our field-service council¹ yesterday. Every other year, two of our field-service councils conduct a University of Scouting. Attendance was up, by my observation, and there was much good solid information passed along to and shared among the Scouters who attended.
A question came up the other day in one of our units on fundraising, dues, scout accounts, & incentives. The BSA gives some guidelines, but no firm rules on what a unit should budget for or how much dues should cost.
February 2015 Caption Contest Winner: Tent Pitching! Cafe Press Items Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
The other day on my Facebook status I posted this: " Elliot and three other Scouts are headed up to Mazama Lodge this weekend for an overnight and hike. Cooking on the Trail and building igloos and having a …
The STEM Trek blends Philmont's famous backcountry programs with STEM-focused activities sure to inspire, educate and entertain Scouts and Venturers.
Submit a photo of your Scout's Pinewood Derby car in this new contest for a chance to win a $50 gift card to ScoutStuff.org.
In our continuing series on changes coming this year to the Cub Scout program, this month I'll preview the Bear changes along with some pointers on how to do some advance preparation for some of the Adventures. As always, be sure to consult the BSA's Program Updates website for the official word on the changes
Jordan Devey, Eagle Scout and offensive tackle for the New England Patriots, can add "Super Bowl champion" to his impressive list of life accomplishments.
Cub Scout Pack 68 held their annual Pinewood Derby on Sunday, January 25th, at the Melrose American Legion. Ten Cub Scouts and their families attended along with friends a several Boy Scouts. Everyone seemed to have a good time. I have been to several derbies through the last few decades, usually as an observer.
Cub Scout Ideas is now print-friendly! Print only what you need from any article on the site.
Washington state Boy Scout Drew Valdez is developing quite the reputation as a disc jockey. So when the young man known as DJ Slap Serif was looking for an Eagle Scout project, it seemed pretty obvious: spin records and fight hunger at the same time.
Important pocketknife safety information for Cub Scouts to learn.
Working in an office is fantastic for a lot of US. If you solution phones can form effectively and fast, document papers, write press releases, communicate professionally with consumers, or handle equipment it is possible to work in an office.
Jessica sent in this question: I am a Committee Chair & a Den Leader and my husband is Cubmaster. We are a month away from our Blue and Gold Banquet. We have already planned into the ceremony for each rank of scouts to earn their rank badge.
The Guide to Awards and Insignia says Boy Scout neckerchiefs are optional and that troops vote on whether to wear them. What does your troop do?
Long overdue for videos that are accurate and revealing, what follows are the first sixteen. 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…
Baloo's Bugle: Volume 21 Issue 07 - February 2015 March 2015 Core Value - Compassion | Be Aware and Care Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
Here's an comprehensive look at the Scoutmaster's conference. All of the references below are official publications of the BSA (the Guide to Advancement 2013 and the Scoutmaster's Handbook ). I have refrained from adding any commentary or opinion because I think the resources can speak for themselves.
The funds raised from the Christmas tree stand run by Boy Scout Troop 213 in Forest Grove, Oregon, were supposed to go back to the troop. But that was before the boys learned about Ayden Herrera, a 5-year-old boy who needed a new wheelchair.
Posted in Adventure Brave The High Adventure troop program feature for Boy Scouts will help a PLC plan a month of activities based on a high adventure campout. The campout should enourage Scouts to get out of their comfort zones and try something new
On this date in 1894, Norman Rockwell was born. Those that were Boy Scouts, or have ever seen an iconic painting of a Boy Scout, have probably seen his work. He is probably most reknowned for his paintings depicting classic scouting scenes.
What are the required BSA immunizations? Tetanus shots are a must for anyone attending programs or activities with an annual health and medical record.
Elizabeth sent in this question My son will be crossing over in a few weeks. He has worked hard to get his arrow of light and is proud of it. But he is flatly refusing to continue with scouting. I'm heartbroken about it.
Watch British wilderness bushcraft expert Ray Mears explore the Canadian wilderness in this fantastic six part series. We are off to Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario to go canoeing this summer, and we'll be right on the Southern edge of the boreal forest I especially appreciated his visit with David Henry author of Canada's Boreal…
Hey, it's been a crazy week and now I am heading out of town for a little mini vacation with the wife. So we will get back to blogging this weekend. A couple things I am looking forward to this weekend (after our vacation),, We gave new Scouts crossing over on Saturday and then Sunday…
Tips to get better at FIFA 15 How can I get better at FIFA 15? Do you have any tips? Games Guru: Learn whether your favorite players are left-or right-footed, and shoot the ball with their best foot. The shot is much more accurate.
In the February 2015 CubCast, the hosts discuss how to make den and pack meetings more productive.
With 135 merit badges to choose from, selection isn't a problem. But motivating Scouts to earn merit badges sometimes can be.
I recently attended a presentation on the new Cub Scout Adventure program. Aimed at Scouters who will be implementing the program starting later this year, it was conducted by a member of the national task force that created the new program. He offered insights into how the committee arrived at its findings and what it
Melissa sent in this question My son (webelos I) is earning the James m. Stewart good citizen award for a service project he did in 2nd grade (wolf) We have received the model and the patch and plan on presenting it at the blue and gold banquet next week.
We're proud to feature some great photos from Troop 11 out of Enid, Oklahoma! We always think it's really cool when Troops customize our stock designs with personal touches to really show off what makes their group unique! Here's what the Assistant Scoutmaster, Rick, told us about his shirt design: Our unit is Troop 11…
If you are like me, you've probably been chomping at the bit to see the new Troop Leader's Guidebook that is supposed to replace the Scoutmaster's Handbook. There are so many things that you come across as a Scoutmaster and the 9th edition of the SM Handbook, really falls short. (The most useful edition, for
It's Klondike Derby time so a little reminder about frostbite danger to the scouts is in order. It only took an hour of walking this morning to develop this cool frost layer. It was -5?F and about 5mph wind - and I was comfortable the entire hike.
I found this newspaper clipping in some of the stuff I saved from my father's scouting materials. It didn't have the date, but I suspect it was from the 1980's or 90's, either from the Lake County News Herald or the Painesville Telegraph (likely the latter). I neat little piece of history.
Sunday, Feb. 8, is the 105th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America. To celebrate, check out five other cool facts from the BSA's birth year, 1910.
There's still time — but only a little — to register for the 2015 World Scout Jamboree, held July 28 to Aug. 8 in Kirara-hama, Japan.
Handy food journal for Webelos Fitness Activity Badge and Webelos Cast Iron Chef Adventure.
I cracked this book, Follow the Arrow by Patrick Flaherty, open the other day to give it a read. It is a compilation of motivational quotes related to the authors thoughts on the Order of the Arrow (OA). It is broken into four topics: (i) Brotherhood & Friendship, (ii) Love of the Outdoors & Respect for Nature…
Break out your Scouting uniform and get ready to celebrate because this February you have plenty of reasons to flaunt your Scout pride. Norman Rockwell’s birthday was earlier this month, and Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, and BSA’s birthday are right around the corner – which means this month is sure to be unforgettable.
I have finally reviewed a lot of the requirements that are coming into effect June 1st 2015. Our Council held a 4 hour class on the changes. Two Commissioners went to the Philmont Training Center over the summer and learned …
On today's date, in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was official incorporated. Happy 105th Birthday BSA! Learn more about the BSA's Founders here .
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.
Youth and adult members of the Order of the Arrow are eligible to earn the Arrowman Service Award, a special patch authorized for wear on your OA sash.
On Scout Sunday, I visited the Blue & Gold Banquet of a Cub Scout pack that I am the commissioner for. The pack is well-run, with exciting and interesting activities planned in advance throughout the year. Most of the Scouts received advancement recognition or awards of some kind, and all dens took part in the
Why draft a Unit Service plan? Why use Commissioner tools? What’s in and out for 2015? Find out in this winter’s Commissioner Newsletter. Check it out here: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/commissioner/newsletter/2015_winter/pdf/winter_2015.pdf
Behavior problems can be challenging, but… … understanding the basic principles behind addressing difficult behavior helps us resolve them in the best interest of the Scout. I'll answer an email about bullying and another about concerns over merit badge counselling. Scoutmaster Training Syllabus - wee appendices G and H for information on the Scoutmaster Conference Sponsored By…
We've been blogging from the Chief's office since November 2007. My predecessor, Bob Mazzuca, launched the concept with "Bob's Blog" and I picked up the blogging baton under the newly titled "Chief's Corner." It was a big social media jump for us, but the initiative has been a valuable exchange of thoughts and ideas from…
Training as a Scout comes in handy. Sure, knot tying and kindling know-how are awesome, but let’s not undersell how valuable time as a Scout can be. For these Scouts, BSA skills are a life saver: Alrick Johson saved his co-worker from choking, credits his Boy Scout training for life-saving skills.
________________________________________ Thanks to you loyal readers and great Scouters for being patient with me! Yup, took a vacation. But by the time I returned I had a major client assignment in my lap, so I did the unthinkable: I let my work come before my Scouting commitment!
Scouts take an oath to do their duty to country, but how would you handle a Scout who refuses to say the Pledge of Allegiance?
What's going on? Write a funny caption for this photo What's going on in this picture? What is that goat doing and what is it 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.
Hey, you probably know BoyScoutTrail.com is giving away goodies every month. Check out my contest page and take a shot. Here are a few more contests you might want to enter... Scouting magazine is giving away gift cards and knives.
Learn how to safely build a fire.
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We recently ordered new custom neckerchiefs and patches for our Troop and Crew, and I wanted to share two sources that I can highly recommend to Scouters looking for custom neckerchiefs or patches. (Please note that these companies are not advertisers or affiliates with Scoutmastercg.com.
Since this blog was started as a way to share my family's scouting adventures, I thought I'd add a new feature called "Meeting Mondays". All our den and troop meetings are on Mondays (along with other stuff like which makes them Mega-Mondays).
All active NESA members automatically receive Eagles’ Call magazine as a perk of membership. What you might not know is that non-Eagles can subscribe.
Over the weekend, I had the privilege of teaching Basic Training to a group of Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters from my District…15 of them with experience that ranged from being brand spanking new in a troop just being formed to a few that have been in for 3 & 4 years.
In just five months, more than 30,000 Scouts and leaders from 161 countries around the world will converge on Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi, Japan, for the 23rd World Scout Jamboree . The registration deadline is fast approaching - you have until March 21, 2015, to submit your World Scout Jamboree application.
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Attention Council, Area, and Regional Key 3 and board members! Are you looking for one of a kind leadership development course? You’ll find it when you join us at Philmont Scout Ranch June 8 – 12, 2015. At the Creating Organizational Excellence course in the Philmont Training Center, you’ll hear from BSA leadership, like National President…
I often talk about Character with our Scouts and on this blog. To me Character is the Great Non Negotiable. Character is that which once you give it away, you can not get it back. Character can never be taken from you, but you can freely give it away.
Philmont individual programs are perfect for a young man or young woman who wants to experience Philmont as an individual or with a smaller group.
It's been said that the Boy Scouts of America is the largest user of dead trees anywhere in the world. The number of printed publications has been legendary – handbooks, pamphlets, forms, guidebooks, magazines – seemingly one for every purpose and sometimes several. The BSA seems to have adopted the same philosophy with websites. There
How many Eagle Scouts in 2014? Exactly 51,820. That's 51,820 reasons to feel pretty good about the future of our country.
Carlos Cortez has been named Scout executive of the Los Padres Council in Santa Barbara, California, effective March 16. Carlos will join in partnership with the volunteers and staff of the Los Padres Council to deliver quality Scouting experiences to the young people of the communities they serve.
Active, aware, Scouters all ask themselves how well they are delivering the Scouting program. There are any number of ways to measure metrics, the Journey to Excellence being the most familiar and widely used tool. I am going to suggest ten questions a Scout troop can ask of itself that do not have metric answers.
The new 2015 Boy Scout Requirements booklet (#33216 - SKU# 620714) is now available for purchase from Scoutstuff.org, and should be in the Scout Shops soon. The book contains the following new material: Requirements for the new merit badge which was issued in 2014 but was not in last year's book (Mining in Society) Requirements for…
For this week's installment of Throwback Thursday, check out this group photo of the 1987 National Jamboree contingent from Northeast Ohio Council (now part of the Greater Western Reserve Council). This was Troop 1912. As I recall the number was important in the history of scouting, possibly when the first units in the area were…
Effective Sept. 1, 2015, the use of 15-passenger vans manufactured before 2005 will no longer be allowed in connection with Scouting programs or activities.
I’m proud to say that we have had a number of American presidents who were Scouts as they were growing up. The first Scout to become president was John F. Kennedy, a member of Troop 2 in Bronxville, New York.
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.
A couple ways of thinking about backpacking food. First. Quick and easy.. boil water Second. Pre cook and reheat. And third, make it from scratch. When we are talking about Quick and easy we throw freeze dried or dehydrated meals in to the mix.
I gave this as my scoutmaster minute the other day (you can deduce the date). I can say I've retyped the words exactly, I don't rewrite these things down, I mostly ad lib them after things about them during the day.
On Presidents Day, let's remember Gerald R. Ford, our 38th president and, at least so far, our only Eagle Scout president.
Of all the things that terrify people, the one at the top of the list for most is public speaking. So much so, in fact, that a lot of people would rather have a root canal than get up and give a speech to a group. For anyone in a leadership position, though, being able
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Nicole sent in this question I am looking for a little bit of info. I was also "volunteered" into the den mom position (which I totally didn't mind) but have no clue about any of this cub scout stuff. We made it through most of the year (thanks to google!)
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.
… you know you'd like to go! Getting a high adventure trip off the ground sounds difficult, but you can make it happen for your Scouts. This week I'll discuss some of the things you need to do to set up high adventure, and answer email questions about attendance at outings, and advise a new committee…
With Presidents' Day upon us, let's reflect on the relationship of the President and the Boy Scouts of America. Since the BSA was established in 1910, we've only had ten Presidents who been able to be Boy Scouts (by age: Johnson, Reagan, Nixon, Ford, Kennedy, Bush, Carter, Bush, Clinton, Obama).
________________________________________ In my January 13th column (No. 431), in response to a reader's comment about "lard-butt Eagle Scouts," I responded, "Yup, pull-ups are still required for Personal Fitness merit badge." I was right and wrong at the same time. Our USSSP resident expert on advancement requirements, Paul Wolf, mentioned to me that "actually, that is no…
Learn to take better smartphone photos and share them effectively at the BSA's Visual Storytelling Workshop, set for June 7 to 13 at Philmont.
I've been a Cubmaster, and a den leader for Wolf, Bear,and Webelos dens. Volunteering as a Cub Scout leader ought to be a lot of fun, and it is, most of the time. We had a "normal" Cub Pack, (if such a thing exists).
Our crew is going skiing this weekend. The weather forecast is for cold, cold, and more cold. So it is important that they know how to safely enjoy outdoor activities in extreme temperatures. Avoiding hypothermia is key to a successful outing.
The Greater NYC Council is hosting a bilingual Wood Badge course in Spanish and English, August 8 – 13, 2015. Scout leaders from all Scouting programs are invited to attend the course, located at Alpine Scout Camp in New Jersey. Hear from course staffer Bishop James Tamayo, as he invites Scout leaders to partake in this…
On Tuesday Feb. 10, 2015, the All Markets Strategy committee gathered at the semi-annual BSA Board Meeting to discuss ways to deliver Scouting to more of our diverse markets. President & Chief Executive Officer, AT&T Mobile & Business Solutions, Ralph de la Vega chaired the meeting.
You’re probably accustomed to receiving supplemental roundtable content the first week of each month, but we’ve decided to release this month’s roundtable early. (Keep an eye out for “Voice of the Scout” survey information at the beginning of the month!)
The Troop that Elliot is in has a regular trip to Southern California for 80 hours to Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Knotts Berry Farm over Presidents Day weekend. This year was the year for it. The trip will not happen …
With Klondike coming up, winter songs could be sung (even if the weather in spring-like here). One of my scout made this song for our Court of Honor back in November. It is very reminiscent of our Webelos Woods campout judging by the items he included.
Last month, the Three Fires Council of St. Charles, Ill., hosted a first-of-its-kind "Women-Only Welding" event. It was a huge success.
Doesn't Take Much Light" is a powerful song written by Dean Madonia about his real-life Scoutmaster. It's proof that one leader can have a profound impact.
Brooklyn-centered online hobby bazaar Etsy features nearly 20-million customers around the globe at the time of 2015. Buyers travel for the website for special, hand-made craft supplies, antique things and objects. The website is home to more than a thousand effective suppliers across a wide array of sub-classes, like jewelry, photography and apparel.
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Owning a pocketknife is almost a rite of passage for many boys and especially so for Cub Scouts. Many of our boys can't wait until they're Bears so that they can earn their Whittling Chip which allows them to carry a pocketknife at pack campouts. However, they must have permission of their parent and den
This is the second of a five-part series, the first features thoughts on understanding Cubs , the third post will discuss understanding volunteering. I've been a Cubmaster, and a den leader for Wolf, Bear,and Webelos dens. Volunteering as a Cub Scout leader ought to be a lot of fun, and it is, most of the time.
It's Wood Badge Wednesday time again. In this post I want to share a bit about my Scouting Hero William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt. Everyone knows that William Hillcourt wrote books for the Boy Scouts of America, but few are aware of all of the work that he did for Scouting in America, in fact…
