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The Naguonabe Lodge of the Central Minnesota Council began handing out patches to its members that are attending the 2015 National Order of the Arrow Conclave during this weekend's spring conclave. Once again, it will be a two patch set, but unlike previous year's these patches do not match into each other and do not…
Creek Stewart, Eagle Scout and survival expert, is the host of "Fat Guys in the Woods" on The Weather Channel. Season 2 premieres at 9 p.m. Sunday, June 7.
How to you stay on a budget while experiencing Scouting to the fullest? Share your money-saving tips for a future issue of Scouting magazine.
Today is June 1, 2015 – a date that a lot of Scouters have been anticipating, either with excitement or dread. It's the day on which the biggest overhaul of the Cub Scouting program in recent memory takes place. The rollout of the Cub Scout Adventure Program, an outcome of the 2011 strategtic plan, includes
The books are hot off the presses, the adventure loops are shiny, and your Cub Scouts are ready. It's June 1, and the new Cub Scout program is here.
While those who aren’t part of Scouting dread the looming summer heat, relish the final sights of spring flowers, and prepare to spend a few months primarily indoors, Cub Scouts are counting down to the sunniest season. In their heads dance visions of adventure in the great outdoors.
We prepare our Scouts, but how about their parents? How can we help parents make it though the first week of summer camp? Entrusting the full-time care of your child to someone for such a long time, for the first time, can be challenging for parents.
This year, the Order of the Arrow (OA) is celebrating its centennial anniversary with a myriad of programs, awards and special events. One way the OA is celebrating is ArrowTour: an interactive program for Scouts, volunteers and Scouting alumni that will travel throughout the country during the summer of 2015.
We are bringing the behind-the-screen skills of Pixar, DreamWorks, Disney and many other creative career opportunities to our Scouts with the recent announcement of the Animation Merit Badge. Our merit badge committee huddled with several animation experts after hearing from our Scouts that animation is a high-interest skill for our members.
June 2015 Summer Ice Fishing Cafe Press Items Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
While your coworkers wade through email, yawn through another teleconference and fill out the gazillionth Excel spreadsheet, you'll be at Scout summer camp.
It is a movement, because it moves forward. As soon as it stops moving, it becomes an Organisation, and is no longer Scouting. – Baden-Powell Organizations serve the Scouting movement, but they are not Scouting itself. There's a tense relationship between the creative, visionary force behind great ideas like Scouting and the formal organizational framework that…
Summer is here and that means it is time for lots of aquatics activities! Cub Scouts can be so eager to get in the water and have some fun that it is difficult to get them to listen to the rules.
Scouters know Cub Scouting is all about adventure – camping, getting their hands dirty, exploring nature, and meeting some new friends along the way. But how can you showcase and attract others to these fun and character-building benefits of Cub Scouts?
________________________________________ Hi Folks! I'll be traveling for the next 13 days, so we'll have to skip next week's column. I'll be back online the week of June 15th, so keep those letters comin' in! Happy Scouting! (Just the other day, somebody asked me, "So, what do you do?"
William Bauman, whose Eagle Scout project was a campaign against texting and driving, has an important message for Scout leaders and parents.
Prepared. For Life. That the BSA's current trademark catch phrase. I think it is a good one, because I think that what it does in a way. All the little adventures you go on as a scout hopefully prepare you for the real adventure of life.
The #NAM2015 spark sessions brought together experts from a variety of fields to deliver industry insights on topics from making the most of the new Cub Scout program to what it takes to mobilize your digital marketing strategy. Councils across the country are well underway in implementing what they gained, but in case you couldn’t…
A Scout is hands-on – so are potential Scouts. That’s why the Boys’ Life mini-mags are a great tool to drive interest in joining your unit. Packed with the Boys’ Life content kids love (and can’t get enough of), these mini-mags are sure to pique the interest of youth who thirst for adventure.The 51⁄2-by-71⁄2-inch mini-mag is…
As the nation’s foremost program of youth development, it’s important we stay abreast of trends. Did you know young campers say having a smartphone is almost as important as toilet paper in the outdoors?! It’s hard to deny the nature of camping is changing.
As an employee of the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, you spend a little, if not most, of your time on the job considering effective recruiting. But how much do you consider alumni of the program (not the steadfast volunteers who have made Scouting their lives, but the adults…
Write a funny caption for this photo. We’ll print the best ones in the September issue … What's going on in this picture? What are those animals doing 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…
The National Sea Scout Support Committee selected Edward Campbell of Albion, Ind., to be the 2015-2016 National Sea Scout Boatswain.
You can find all of these new recruiting tools in the new Marketing & Membership Hub. Go ahead and bookmark it now. You'll want to return again and again.
I’m often asked: what is a typical day for the Chief Scout Executive? One of things that make the job so interesting is that there is no typical day and there are no boring days. I am usually in the office only half the time.
Are you looking for a tool that’ll sky-rocket your current and future recruiting efforts? Look no further than the Marketing and Membership Hub ! This tool is a one-stop destination for recruiting and marketing materials that’ll help you deliver Scouting adventures like never before.
Today, at our Cub Scout Day Camp, we had a fencing demonstration as our lunchtime program. I took fencing classes a couple of months ago, and the club where I took them sent out a few folks to fence for us. My instructor said that they just might get me and another volunteer to spar.
Need to make an impromptu gear repair? Look around you. If you're in Arizona, Texas or somewhere the Agave americana grows, you're in luck.
The Swedish torch could be the most effective cooking fire I've ever seen. It's a self-contained fire that functions like a stovetop range.
Happy Doughnut Day! Here’s an easy way to cook delicious doughnuts on your next camping trip. Like most food, doughnuts taste even better when you're camping. Here's a simple recipe to cook fresh doughnuts on your next outing. WHAT YOU'LL NEED 1 can buttermilk biscuits, refrigerated Vegetable oil Frying pan ½ cup sugar ½ teaspoon…
One of my favorite moments at our National Annual Meeting is the naming of our recipients of the Silver Buffalo Award, the Boy Scouts of America’s highest award for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on a national basis. 2015 Silver Buffalo Recipients (From L-to-R) Front Row: Rick Bragga, John Lea IV, Jeff Jonasen, Glenn…
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.
Eagle Scout Matt Stoltz is exactly one-third of the way toward a remarkable goal: Bike to every Major League Baseball stadium in North America this summer.
A couple months ago, we wrote about just what constitutes a Scout campout. Scout camping, as you're aware, is different from ordinary-folks camping because it aims to fulfill a purpose besides recreation and just getting outside. Scout camping is where the values of Scouting come to life and is the end result of a month's
Summer vacation is getting underway for kids. Undoubtedly, many of their parents already are planning ways to keep them active and outdoors during the break. Some of these parents have adopted what’s being called “ free-range parenting ,” which is sort of a hands-off approach to raising active, independent kids.
You may have more in common with Kazik than you first suspect! This podcast is one story that I think you'll find inspiring and significant; a story of Scout spirit against seemingly insurmountable odds. Links in this podcast Kommander's Car by Katy Car Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers Get The SCOUTMASTERCG APP Podcast Archive
A Scout is ? ?? ?, ? ? ?, ? ? ?, ? ? ?, ? ? ?, ? ?? ?, ? ? ?, ? ? ?, ? ?? ?, ? ? ?, ? ? ? and ?? ? ?. The word "emoji" means "picture letter" in Japanese, and emoji have become a popular way to communicate in texting or social media. These small images or icons are often used to quickly express an idea or emotion.
At the 2015 National Outdoor Conference you'll join volunteers and professionals to learn more about delivering the world's greatest youth outdoor program.
Nineteen year-old Kazik, prisoner 918, in Auschwitz. In Podcast 270 I tell the story of Kazimierz Piechowski, or Kazik, who grew up as a Boy Scout in Tczew on the border of Poland and Germany. When the Nazis invaded in 1939 Kazik learned the true meaning of the Scout motto.
Nineteen year-old Kazik, prisoner 918, in Auschwitz. Kazimierz Piechowski, or Kazik, is a Boy Scout who grew up in Tczew, Poland, and was imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II. I tell Kazik's inspiring story in Podcast 270 . British songwriter, Katy Carr, wrote " Kommander's Car " a song relating the pivotal moments of Kazik's story.
If you haven’t read about the film “Troop 491: The Adventures of the Muddy Lions” on Scouting Newsroom or heard from the director Praheme at the All Markets Strategy Summit, then you might not know this film is making some impressive strides in membership growth for councils across the country.
Cub Scout den leader guides are now available electronically. Plan your den meetings on the go.
Scout 1 (I'll call them Scout 1, 2, & 3 instead of Thing 1, 2, & 3 - sorry Dr. Suess) went to the Order of the Arrow Ordeal weekend at Camp Winton this past weekend. He was a candidate last year and was going back for Brotherhood.
Should your unit bank account have a large balance you carry over from year to year? That question about unit accounts is answered in this Ask the Expert.
I often get emails recommending one summer camp or another. While I cannot personally visit each of these camps to review them, I'd like to give readers the opportunity to recommend camps to other Scouts and Scouters. So here is your opportunity.
Make your plans to attend Scouting’s largest get-together of volunteers and professionals charged with delivering the world’s greatest outdoor program for youth! October 14-18 you can spend four days at Philmont Training Center enjoying backcountry excursions, group sessions, outstanding keynote speakers, outdoor vendor exhibits, clean mountain air, more than 50 sessions with camping and outdoor…
Mark your calendar for October 27 and Sustainability Leadership Day, which will be hosted by the BSA from the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. This live event will include notable presenters from the National Geographic Society, Sustainable Brands, Green Sports Alliance, Presidio Graduate School, and the BSA National Service Center and will feature an…
You may have seen commercials or TV shows put their own spin on Scouting uniforms or even heard a movie star proclaim “always be prepared.” Maybe your ears perk when you hear a reference to a “Boy Scout” or “Scouting” on the silver screen.
32 Ounce 20 Ounce 48 Ounce 48 Ounce I don't have one yet, but this coffee press was mentioned on one of our recent live chat sessions and it looks like a "must have" for connoisseurs of camp coffee! REI offers the press in three different sizes, they all get great reviews.
Reflecting on the campout this past weekend, I think a review of weather hazards and lightning safety is in order. The BSA has a "Weather Hazards" training course that takes about 30-40 minutes at myscouting.org. I need to retake it I guess, as I can't recall exactly what it says in regards to lightning.
On July 1, Eagle Scout Jake Tavakoli, 29, and his girlfriend will begin to canoe the length of the Mississippi, the third-longest river in North America
You probably know the name George Meany. You might know that his name is associated with labor unions. Meany was the president of the American Federation of Labor, an association of labor unions, who proposed the merger with the Congress of Industrial Organizations, a similar association, forming the AFL-CIO in the 1950s. Meany served as
A while back, I read a contributed column from a Scout who grew up in the 1950’s. He proudly shared the story of his Scouting adventures and thanked two Korean War veterans who served as Scout leaders for his troop.
Check out these free family tree templates. You can use them for both a Tiger and Webelos/AOL elective.
BL’s new game has 60 levels of brain-teasing puzzles. http://media.boyslife.org/onlinegames/brixx/ Solve 60 levels of brain-teasing puzzles in this challenging game. Solve 60 levels of brain-teasing puzzles in this challenging game. View On WordPress
Flag Day is June 14, so I wanted to share 14 times in the past that Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts have honored Old Glory.
SPONSORED: Two American traditions unite in an impressive way with Scouting-themed rifles from Henry Repeating Arms.
Creative ways to cook your favorite foods in the outdoors Camp cooking doesn't have to be weird or boring. Check out how recipes for some of your favorite foods can be adapted for your next campout. PIZZA WHEREVER Pizza delivery where you're camping?
Your Cub Scouts can build some awesome wood projects! Download your free plans here.
I have always been a fan of training. I think that training makes us better. The more you know, the better equipped you are to lead. In Scouting the more you know about the program, the more you know about skills, and the more you know about working with young people, the better you will…
The troop participated in the annual Flag Day ceremony that the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks holds every year. Though not a big holiday to most of the country, it is a very special one in the hearts of the Elks, and should be in all Americans.
The 10 Eagle Scout cakes here are some of the best-looking I've ever seen, and I think you'll agree. Just, please, no licking the screen.
Talking with the Cubmaster at a Blue & Gold banquet recently, I found out that her son is crossing into Boy Scouts this spring. In fact, he (and she) have already been on a campout of the troop that he is joining. Among other tales of the adventure that lies across the bridge, I gently
As the new Cub Scout program is already wowing Scouts across the country, leaders and volunteers are still engaged in the unending quest to identify what kinds of experiences kids crave (and need) to become well-rounded youth. That’s why we’re bringing you the first in a series of three Cub Scout personas.
Kim sent in this question: I searched all the literature I can find, and have not yet found an answer. What neckerchief does a Cub Scout Den Leader wear – the Cub Scout Leader, or the Rank? A few older websites reference that it should be the rank, unless you are a committee member/scout master – in…
What does learning to ride a bike have to do with Scouting? Listen to my answer to an email question from a new Scoutmaster to find out, I answer several other questions on this podcast about records, troop size and you leader accountability.
This summer, contingents of Arrowmen are hitting the road to deliver the message that Scouting is building new adventures to keep our movement fun, challenging and relevant to America’s youth. These Scouts are helping to celebrate the 100 th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow — Scouting’s national honor society.
Whenever I'm in a group setting that recites the Pledge of Allegiance, there always seems to be some inconsistency between those who say: one Nation, under God (with a pause between these two segments) and one Nation under God (spoken as a single statement).
The web app that’s sweeping the Scouting nation has gained a user base of 300,000. With features like progress tracking, text message alerts, and shared calendars, it’s no wonder Scoutbook is appealing to the masses of Scouters who like to have a wealth of resources at their disposal, even on-the-go.
The BSA's production team is looking for troops with skills in camping, hiking, swimming, cycling or lifesaving to star in a series of instructional videos.
The BSA is creating digital versions of more merit badge pamphlets this summer and real scouts are needed to act in a set of instructional videos. Real scouts with real skills are being used - and I think that's a totally awesome idea!
I often hear from Scouters and parents who ask me to help them resolve Scouting problems involving a personality conflict, a disappointment, or other difficulty. Here's a few recent examples – A parent of Scout who was disappointed by the outcome of an election was pretty sure that the election was unfair.
You’ve heard that the 2017 Jamboree staff and youth registration is open , but what you don’t know is that Eagle Scout Climber Matt Moniz will be there and he’s sharing why this jamboree is one for the record books. From Boliva to Africa to Nepal, Matt has been to quite a few summits across the…
My troop has gone to Goblin Valley every year for the past 6 years, making this a tradition since 2009 . We typically go in October when the desert temperatures are pleasant and the amount of people is scarce. We will leave on a Friday at 4, stop in Price for dinner around 6, find a…
I’m interested in before-and-after Eagle project photos — the same photos each Eagle Scout includes with his final project documentation.
Tips for attending a sporting event with your Cub Scout den.
Last week when we tasked you with sharing pop culture Scouting references with us, you delivered big time! Two things became clear. One, you guys have great movie and television taste. And two, Scouting is a recurring theme in pop culture, signifying something distinct to different people during different periods of time.
Registration for Top Hands 2015 is open, and if you’re part of the professional leadership for the Boy Scouts of America, it’s time to make plans to attend. Taking place in downtown Dallas at the Sheraton Dallas, this meeting will be August 19-21.
Ask anyone who’s been a Scout, and they’ll tell you just as surely as they can recite the Scout Oath and Law: to reach Eagle Scout, you must fulfill all requirements before your 18th birthday. Period. And yet, recent news coverage highlighted one man, Hugh White, who received his Eagle Scout Award at age 65…
Four Percent: The Extraordinary Story of Exceptional American Youth" is now available in a new and expanded second edition.
The Golden State Warriors won the championship of the National Basketball Association this week. The team is led by an experienced basketball man – as a player, general manager and television commentator – but a rookie coach. Steve Kerr, in his first coaching assignment, took on a different style of leadership than those he played
Sarah Burgess, STEM coordinator at Philmont Scout Ranch, has been hand-picked to sail aboard the Nautilus exploration vessel this summer.
What greater gift can a young man give his father than the gift of life? Last November, Daniel Domagalski was driving through Jonesboro, Arkansas when he suddenly suffered a seizure. His quick-thinking son, Michael Jones, was able to take the wheel and steer their vehicle through two busy intersections before safely stopping on the side…
The pack took part in the "Stay Aboard" program at the USS Hornet. Last year we did the USS Pampanito , which is a WWII submarine. The cubs really enjoyed that one, even though it was a small ship and pretty cramped.
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! Scout 1 helped make this delicious Cinnamon Blueberry Crumble recipe I've been wanting to try since getting The Scout's Dutch Oven Cookbook . I can't copy the recipe, but basically to is ready-to-bake cinnamon rolls covered in blueberry pie filling and a floury-sugary crumble topping, and then…
A few dozen Scouts from Erie, Pa., gathered to give a World War II-era Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" a good scrubbing.
Although the print edition of the Guide to Safe Scouting gets updated each year or two, the information in the Guide is revised quarterly when changes are made. A printed or downloaded copy should be part of every Scouter's kit, and while traditionally published as an 8 1/2 x 11 stapled booklet, recent paper editions…
With the first day of summer arriving this week, it’s important for all of us to remember to keep the canteens and water bottles full as we head out for summer camp and other outdoor activities. A study released this month notes that more than half of all children and adolescents in the U.S.
There's always plenty to talk about when it comes to the Eagle Scout! In this week's podcast I'll opine (and preach a little) about our Eagle Scout attitudes and answer email questions about troop meeting chaos and an advancement mistake.
For this edition of Tuesday Talkback, share your thoughts on what a troop should do with the flag grommets left behind from flag retirement ceremonies.
New Content for All scouts
New Content for Boy Scouts
Don’t bother telling the swarms of potential Scouting families what the Boy Scouts of America’s programs can add to their lives. Show them. Your council is probably zoned in on capturing the attention of millennial parents who have kids old enough to join Scouting programs.
The BSA announced a few weeks back that they had acquired Scoutbook.com. My pack has been using the service for the past year to track achievements and such. We had switched from Packmaster to find a more "modern" interface, Scoutbook was the closest think to a social media app and seemed to have some good…
Tent, hammock, cabin, retired battleship — all offer great experiences for Scouts, but only some count as camping nights for the Camping merit badge.
Last week we explored what goes through the mind of a Cub Scout as he seeks out structured fun and outdoor adventures. Scouting proves to be the perfect fit for inquisitive young minds, but there’s only one way to help get these kids into your Pack and prepared for life: demonstrating the worth of the…
John sent in this question: Can a den leader serve as den leader for more than one den? My understanding is that it really not recommended. Since Cub Scouting is a family program, the ideal is to get more parents involved, although I know this can be difficult.
There’s no better way to honor veterans than with the help of service men and women. And that’s what the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) and the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) are teaming up to accomplish next month. The BSA is hosting a Veterans’ Appreciation Day, which will be open to West Virginia National…
Last week we explored how a Scout could get Eagle Scout after turning 18 years old . But did you know that prior to 1965 adults could earn the rank of Eagle? (If you did, let us know in the comments.)
For the last 105 years, the experience of being a Boy Scout has had a positive, lasting effect on the lives of millions of young people. Scouting is building tomorrow’s leaders while teaching a powerful set of real-life skills and developing fundamental qualities like leadership, character and respect.
