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Several years ago when I served as Pack Committee Chair (back when Thing 1 was a Tiger) I had all kinds of ideas of things I thought would make us more organized. Some of them worked well, others not so much.
An Alpine Butterfly tying an Alpine Butterfly! Cafe Press Items Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
It turns out each of the Avengers — Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye and the rest — would be pretty great at counseling certain merit badges.
We are exactly one month away from the launch of the new Cub Scout program. The May 2015 episodes of CubCast and ScoutCast will help you get ready.
Wake Schepman’s story is the stuff 21st Century Scout dreams are made of. He soars and scales heights few get to see without a lift – not just because he’s an Eagle, but because he’s a rollerblading legend (at only 18).
Catapult Cruzers recently sent me a couple of samples to review. Catapult Cruzers are toy airplanes which you put together. Then you launch them using a lightweight bungee cord. They are also going to give a free Catapult Cruzer to one of you!
The BSA ScoutStrong program is a healthy living initiative, promoting an active lifestyle for youth and their adult guides. So, it makes sense that celebrating Olympic Day fits into the ScoutStrong initiative and is yet another opportunity for you to get your gang out and active.
Sitting here watching the movie Unbroken , I figured it was time to write a review of Don't Give Up, Don't Give In by Louis Zamperini. If you don't know who Zamperini was, he's the main character in Unbroken . The movie (I haven't read that book yet) tells of his story as a WWII prisoner of…
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.
Spent the lunchtime hour at a wonderful Eagle Scout Court of Honor for one of the troop's scouts. It was a great ceremony with lots of the scout's friends and family, and they added many personal touches. I'll have to put together a page of Eagle Court of Honor ideas I've seen over the last…
Our youngest Boy Scouts were 3 years old when the first iPhone came out. It might be time to rethink your troop's technology policy.
Now that many troops and packs are winding down the most active part of their program year and are looking forward to scaling back a bit over the summer, and as adult leadership and committee assignments often change, it's a good idea to review how you do business, from a business standpoint. While most Scouting
Amy sent in this question: I'm CC and am being told by the CM that he and the outdoor activity chair are the only two who get to plan the summer activities. This is not how I understood the planning was handled.
After surviving a deadly earthquake at Mount Everest's base camp, Matt Moniz is organizing relief efforts to a remote Nepal villages.
Where is it? What is it? In this week's podcast I'll complete our series on the search for the Scouting "source code", we'll find out where it is, who created it, and why. Links in this podcast My.Scouting.Org PDF by Martin Ohrenberg A Troop Revolution Why do Scouts go Camping?
You’ve been waiting, and the day is here. New Cub Scout handbooks, den leader guides, and uniform accessories (primarily Tiger badges) are in Scout shops as of May 1. Here is the scoop on the merchandise orders: The first pre-order period for wholesale accounts (council run shops) closed on April 3, and 169 councils ordered…
It’s not that every leader has a “the student has become the master” moment. But ask any Scout leader and they’ll probably tell you they’ve learned a lot from their Scouts, particularly the ones with different needs. As part of our Your Scouting Story series, this week we’re shining the flashlight on a leader who…
Thing 2's den earned their Webelos badge yesterday and the pack had the year end BBQ where everyone moves up to the next level. And that means I've successfully complete another year as a den leader. Just about nine months left, the countdown is on! You can see more pictures here: Pack 700's Facebook Page
Better than 1 out of every 10 young men in the graduating class of South Fayette High School in McDonald, Pa., are Eagle Scouts.
Are you ready to go outside with your Scouts for a day of nationwide play? Of course you are! Communities across the country are joining in on a day of fun in the sun at their local, state, and national parks to celebrate the 5th Annual Kids to Parks Day, Saturday, May 16 .
3 Mexican-inspired Dutch oven recipes Enjoy a taste of Mexico on your next campout with these three tasty Dutch Oven recipes. EASY ENCHILADAS A winning recipe in the Scouting and Boys' Life magazines' Campout Cuisine Contest. Created by Scouts Nathan Rose and Clay Cochran.
This video speaks for itself, I want to note, however how the attitude and will of the adults involved made this a positive story. Listen to Chase describe how he felt and how he perceived things. Listen to Chase's mom describe how she felt as a parent.
The BSA’s Marketing Intelligence Manager Scott Olson spends his days sifting through info related to the ever-changing youth and family market the BSA serves. Now, he’s passing on his insights to you. In our new Scouting Wire series Ask the Expert , Scott delivers a real world perspective of what parents value and children crave.
Baloo's Bugle: Volume 21 Issue 10 - April 2015 June 2015 Core Value - Thrifty | Go for the Gold Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
Den Meeting 4-13-15 We continued working on the Craftsman activity badge, which requires two woodworking projects. We started the meeting with the den chief review various tools and asking the Webelos how they worked. Then we got into the project.
Water guns are OK for Scouts to shoot at targets only. They shouldn't be aimed or fired at one another, according to BSA policies.
Building a catapult is a fun STEM activity for Scouts. They can learn about physics and energy. An easy way to do this is with a small scale catapult. This depressor catapult is one of several small catapult designs in the book Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction .
If you are like many Cub Scout volunteers and parents, you’ve probably run into a dilemma many consider to be a good yet challenging conundrum. Yes, we are talking about having so many eager Cub Scouts that you don’t have enough adults to lead the overflowing pack.
In Podcast 265-266 I played excerpts of a recording of Green Bar Bill Hillcourt where he mentions his first article in October 1932 issue of Boy's Life. The "Cover to Cover" section on page 2 introduces Bill; We start off in this issue by roping in Green-Bar Bill to write a monthly page of Scout…
Boy Scouts of America is changing how the nation views science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and Fast Company took notice. Led by the National Directors of STEM Programs Trent Nichols and April McMillan, STEM Scouts is a national pilot program focused on teaching kids STEM subjects in a hands-on and fun-centric environment.
You may have heard that the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and the Pathway to Adventure Council have teamed up for the Space Station National Design Challenge, a student research competition in Chicago. As the competition (which sends winning projects on a voyage to the International Space Station) draws near, participants…
How to tent leaks Q. Dear Gear Guy, I have a summer pup tent, and whenever it rains, the tent leaks. The tag says not to waterproof it, but I need to stop the leaks. What do I do? – Distressed Dylan, from the Internet Hmm, that's a tricky one, Dylan.
You probably play videogames online. But which online console games service gives you the best bang for your buck? Here's everything you need to know to make the decision. XBOX LIVE Has a free version that doesn't allow you to play online games for free, but does offer free avatars, automatic game updates and access…
I created a new page that you find under the top banner for " Meeting Mondays " to use as a quick link to the weekly reports (when there's something of interest to report on that week). Enjoy!
Perfect uniform? Check. Scouts in the 1950s had their uniforms checked using this uniform inspection sheet. A score of 100 out of 100 was the goal.
At the 2015 National Order of the Arrow Conference, a Centennial Fire will burn with wood from every OA lodge. But what type of wood will be used?
What's going on in this picture? What happened to that truck and why are trees growing in it? If you can think of a funny caption for this photo, just post it in the comment form at the bottom of this page.
When my niece got married a few months ago, one of the songs she and her new husband chose was the Wedding Song, written by Paul Stookey of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary. We're probably all familiar with it – one of the stanzas starts out Well, a man shall leave his mother
Gauteng KonTiki is coming up next weekend, and the Gauteng Scout Water Activities Advisory Council , along with Puddle Pirates Rover Crew , has developed this Excel spreadsheet which helps calculate the mass of a raft, and ultimately calculate how deep a raft sits in the water.
Roving Outdoor Conservation School (ROCS) and Trail Crew Trek (TCT) have spaces open this summer at Philmont Scout Ranch. Tell your Scouts and Venturers.
The STEM Scouts logo will feature prominently on Scott Lagasse Jr.'s No. 31 truck in tonight's Toyota Tundra 250 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan.
[cs2015] With the changes to the Cub Scout program, many of the requirements for supplemental awards have to be updated as well. One of the awards with new requirements is the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award. This award encourages Cub Scouts to get outdoors and develop their skills.(...) Continue reading the article at http://scoutermom.com/achievement/cub-scout-outdoor-activity-award-2/
Find out the new requirements for the Cub Scout World Conservation Award.
This week we are taking a look at Legacy of Honor : the Values and Influences of America 's Eagle Scouts by Alvin Townley. To be honest, I have finished it, I'm somewhere between and third and half way through the 287 page tome.
I'd like to wish all of the Scouter Mom's out there a Happy Mother's Day. Thanks for making a difference in the lives of our youth. The great thing about being a Scouter Mom is that you get to know so many great Scouts and Venturers.
I created a new page that you find under the top banner for " Document Templates for Pack & Troops " to use as a quick link to the posts for the various templates I've shared. Expect that page to grow as I add more stuff in the future. Enjoy!
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.
Read about the difference between STEM activities in traditional Scout units and STEM Scouts, the new BSA program expanding to 12 more councils this fall.
Leaders are often responsible for seeing that those who they lead deliver results, and it's no different in Scouting. Our youth leaders must work together to achieve common goals. The leaders that the Scouts elect are directly responsible for not only the welfare of those who elected them, but for seeing that everyone does what's
Rudy Gonzalez will take on the role of Scout executive for the Rio Grande Council in Harlingen, TX, starting May 16. With his passion for Scouting and youth development, Rudy heads into this new role with enthusiasm. He began his Scouting career as an intern and then district executive at the Sam Houston Area Council…
A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room – Robert Baden-Powell This is so true! And a week of camp life is much more fun than sitting in a meeting room also. And young men learn about responsibility and independence.
It's catch-up time! In this week's podcast I'll catch up on email questions concerning approving requirements, relationships between Cub Packs and Troops, moving to a new Troop, unit policy manuals, how Scouts address Scouters, and determining what activities best achieve the aims of Scouting.
The BSA brings profound experiences – and a lot of fun – to children from all backgrounds, in all areas across the country. The All Markets Strategy Summit next Tuesday, May 19, at the BSA’s National Annual Meeting will bring Scouting leaders, employees, and volunteers together to ensure our mission of reaching all kids only grows more…
The picture above are the Eagle Scout award kits I still have to give out (the troop had three new Eagles in April, and a couple back around the holidays). These are all scouts who started their journey well before my son and I were in the troop, and all the credit goes to the…
Units want to improve their JTE scores annually. Similarly, the Journey to Excellence standards themselves are constantly tweaked. Here's how to help.
A couple of years ago we replaced our troop's tents with the Marmot Limelight 3 (you can read about the rationale and the Marmot Limelight here ) The folks at Teton sports offer a similar design, the Teton Mountain Ultra 3 .
Congratulations to the 17th Annual President’s Marketing Awards winners! A list of honorees—whose entries were recognized for their excellence in marketing on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America, creativity, and alignment with national brand standards—is now available on the marketing awards website at www.scouting.org/marketingawards .
Den Meeting 5/11/15 Today we worked on our second woodworking project. I little simpler in scope, but still involved cutting, glueing, hammering, sanding, & sawing. This project was making coasters that look like shipping pallets. The idea was courtesy for someones Pinterest board.
Davis Dawson used his Eagle Scout Service Project as an opportunity to build a new home for a family in need — earning him national recognition.
The "aww"-inspiring September 2014 Boys' Life cover that just won a Readers' Choice Award from the American Society of Magazine Editors.
Next week is the official start of the Boy Scouts of America’s national annual meeting ( NAM ). This one yearly event is where volunteers and employees meet t o share updates on the BSA, its programs, and its strides in innovative development for our future leaders (Scouts).
Imagine enjoying a week of quality time at Philmont– with your Key 3 and Key 3s from many other councils – discussing the role of the Key 3 and how they work together to build and operate a successful Scouting program.
Thanks to Scott Lagasse, Jr.’s lightening fast racing skills, STEM Scouts is a NASCAR racing champion! Not exactly the program itself, but Scott’s race car was covered in the STEM Scouts name, deeming it the STEM Scouts Chevy truck. And after 166 high-octane laps around the NASCAR track, Lagasse, Jr.
Merit Badge Counselor", taken literally, describes someone who counsels a bit of cloth called a merit badge. I know nobody actually counsels inert bits of cloth, but it makes you think doesn't it? We don't counsel merit badges, we counsel real, live, individual Scouts.
Day camp madness is descending upon Cub Scout packs around the country. At least, it might feel like madness for the volunteers striving to strike organization in the dash to get kids outdoors this summer. But with the perfect combo of positivity, brevity, and directness, pack volunteers can get day camp season off to a…
The BSA today named Michael Surbaugh its 13th Chief Scout Executive. He'll serve as the BSA’s top professional during an exciting time for Scouting.
What a catch! Professional fisherman Tom Redington took first place over the weekend for the FLW Rayovac Series on KY Lake in Gilbertsville, KY, after reeling in a hefty batch of winning fish. And competition was fierce, too. The Series included a mix of veteran and aspiring pros, along with the best local fisherman in…
Are you an Arrowman who’s ready to be challenged mentally, physically, and spiritually in the great outdoors? If you are up to the challenge, join the Order of the Arrow Trail Crew for a 14-day adventure at Philmont Scout Ranch!
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After careful consideration and an extensive review process, the Boy Scouts of America named Michael Surbaugh its next Chief Scout Executive, the organization’s top professional. Surbaugh, the BSA’s current Group Director of HR, Innovation, Exploring and Learning for Life, will provide general direction of administrative work of the BSA.
Serving as the 12 th Chief Scout Executive has been the highlight of my professional career – and not for the reasons you may think. In this role, I am able to connect to our broader organization – our employees, volunteers and families – to ensure we’re delivering the best Scouting experience to America’s youth.
Scoutmasters are proud of their Scouts. They welcome them as they come into the troop as a 10 or 11 year old, sometimes frightened, Webelos graduate from a Cub Scout Scout Pack and than watch them grow as they develop Scouting skills and become leaders within the troop.
As in the business world, Scouting is something that can and is ranked and rated. The things that we do in Scouting, in keeping with all great organizations that have a purpose and direction, a vision, measure what they do to stay focused and on track.
So I've finally seen the EDGE method at work...literally "at work"...like at my job. I was in a meeting and the were talking about moving a process from one facility to a new one, and who they would train the new people to do what the current workers do.
The 2015 Guide to Safe Scouting is now available, including updates to the Safety Afloat, COPE/Climbing and transportation sections.
New Award for All scouts
The Central Minnesota Council has several special awards they present each year at their recognition banquet. I received an email from Mary at the council office asking if I was planning to attend. The way she worded the email made me a little suspicious, so I gave her a call.
The BSA prepares young people for leadership by giving them the skills to take responsibility and teach by example. For example, Eagle Scout is the highest attainable rank in Boy Scouting, and Scouts must demonstrate proficiency in leadership, service, and outdoor skills at multiple levels before achieving the Eagle rank.
Scouts do things. They build, they play with purpose, they make friends and work together. They set goals and clear them. They go places—physically, mentally, and spiritually. These life-changing experiences—and the confidence they provide—become bricks in the wall of childhood.
The Boy Scouts of America launched two new merit badges in 2014 focused on the careers, hobbies, and activities Scouts enjoy: Mining in Society and Digital Technology, the latest in a series of merit badges covering science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics.
The BSA prepares young people for lives of service by providing opportunities for them to help their communities through service to others. During 2014, Scouts across America recorded 14,356,107 hours of service to their communities at a value of more than $323 million (based on a national volunteer-hour value of $22.55).
Sustainability is a big word with many aspects. But when you break it down, it goes hand in hand with being a good Scout. Sustainability means the ability to endure. Conserving the land, forests, air, water, wildlife, and limited resources we all share is everyone’s responsibility.
A while ago, I was curious how other troops are run. I was pretty confident I understand how the scouting program should work, but wasn't sure if that was common knowledge among the greater scouting community. So I sent out a list of what I thought were key questions to a half dozen individuals I…
This is about more than just finishing all that you scoop onto your plate at the dining hall. This is about stepping up to the plate to fight food waste.
Armed Forces Day — Saturday, May 16, 2015 — is a critical time for us to thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
Hey all you adrenaline junkie Scouts and Scouters out there! The 2015 Guide to Safe Scouting is now available online , and it’s filled with need-to-know information for the thrill-seeking Scout. Whether you’re into snowboarding, skateboarding, BMX biking, climbing or shotguns, this year’s updated Guide to Safe Scouting will provide you with the critical requirements for…
12′ Scout Swing Seeing Action at a Public Scout Expo This is a simple project that is bound to get lots of play. Therefore, lashings need to be super tight, and eight sturdy pioneering stakes will serve as anchors and need to be driven solidly into the ground, perpendicular to and touching the six spars…
________________________________________ To my many Scouters, Scouts, parents, professionals, and other loyal readers, sincere thanks for your patience! These past few weeks have been jam-packed with all sorts of responsibilities-family, professional, and volunteer. As a result, this column is regrettably way off-schedule.
It's a good thing I just ate, because the recipes in The Scout's Dutch Oven Cookbook sound delicious. This was a book I picked up around Christmas, just after our ditch oven cook off with another troop. I could really get into dutch oven cooking I think, as the recipes are usually fairly simple, there…
Assembling their Ballista First of all, let’s acknowledge what appears to be the source for this easy-to-execute design, the website for: Scouts South Africa where you can download a pdf of the design and directions. The activity surrounding the construction of this launcher incorporates sound Square Lashing technique, teamwork (of course), a geometric study of…
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 just got home and got cleaned up from this years District Camporee. It was a good event, not without it's ups and downs and for one Troop, disappointment. This morning we stood and watched as Troops received ribbons for placing in events and then the Camporee Top Troop.
When inducted into the OA (Scouting's honor society) you get a sense of brotherhood that stays with you for life. But can you be a life member of the OA?
To err is human. We're all familiar with the observation that Alexander Pope made in his writings on criticism. So why do we get all bent out of shape when things go wrong? With adults it's one thing – by now, you think, they should know better – but especially when our Scouts mess something up,
Cub Scout leaders, listen up! The most recent episode of the popular Stuff You Should Know podcast is all about the pinewood derby.
Jackson Meyer, an Eagle Scout from Seaside, Ore., will compete in the May 25 episode of "American Ninja Warrior" on NBC.
New Content for Wolf scouts
Look in the hands of nearly any kid today and you’ll see a mobile device lit up with the latest animated film or the must-have gaming app of that week. But animation isn’t just for entertainment, it’s everywhere you look.
New Content for Tiger scouts
What do the resources say? Who signs rank requirements? It's up to the unit leader to select and train those who approve advancement, that's the short answer! Listen for the longer answer and answers to email questions about troop meetings, terms for positions of responsibility, alcohol stoves, and backpack weight.
