Posts in October 2015

This Is How We Will Grow Scouting (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Wire ·

Last month, I shared my belief that a comprehensive business plan would help ensure we achieve our objectives, reconcile our dollars and cents and grow our organization for future success. I explained that as part of that plan, we should have a dedicated growth component.

Piggy Project (opens in a new tab)

Jeff's Scouting Blog ·

Scout 3 worked on a cool project at her Brownies meeting. They are working on learning about finances, and talked about how credit cards work, and that you have to pay them back when you get the bill. They made samples checks and then as a craft made piggy banks.

B-P's Blog – Reluctant Scoutmaster

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

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 proving ground for manhood (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

A lot of pressure is put on boys in our society to develop and exhibit characteristics and behavior that many view as typical masculine traits. Many people would give as examples of such traits toughness, perseverance, determination and confidence. Boys are told to "man up" or "be a man" when faced with confrontation or just

Podcast 287 – Small Troops (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

When is a group of Scouts a Troop, and when are they a patrol? We begin answering that question by forgetting everything we think we know and building a logical approach, by serving the interests of the individual Scout rather than the interest of an organizational chart.

Write a funny caption (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

Write a funny caption for this photo. We’ll print the best in the January issue! What's going on in this picture? What is that deer doing and what is the snowman thinking? If you can think of a funny caption for this photo, just post it in the comment form at the bottom of this…

Issues While Rechartering (opens in a new tab)

Scouter Mom ·

A reader sent in this question: Does the BSA ever deny a charter during recharter, and for what reasons would they deny a recharter? I am not personally aware of a charter being denied provided the membership fees are paid and the paperwork is in order.

9 great prepackaged trail meals (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

Gear Guy reviews 9 great prepackaged trail meals. It seems as though you've been on the trail forever. All you can think about is getting to camp so you can cook up something warm and tasty There's nothing like enjoying a Dutch oven meal, but sometimes a prepackaged meal is the call.

Issue 456 – October 6, 2015 (opens in a new tab)

Ask Andy ·

________________________________________ Dear Andy, The Silver Beaver nomination process seems to blur across the BSA councils. Councils don't like to reveal their selection process, have crude ranking procedures, ignore potential information on the personal records, don't ask for recommendation letters, and so forth.

3 Lessons in Innovation Management from Past Winners

BSA Innovation Engine ·

In considering the qualities of future winners of the 2015 Innovation Awards, perhaps it's a good idea to look back on the strategies and commonalities of previous winners. While the nature of past winners run the gamut-from international businesses to government agencies, from universities to nonprofit organizations-there are notable pieces of their crowdsourced innovations that…

Scouting and Good Sportsmanship Are Inseparable (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Wire ·

With football season in full swing, I have been thinking about how the values we teach in Scouting also are applicable on the gridiron. Earlier this year I was pleased to see the NFL present its first-ever recognition for outstanding sportsmanship, The Art Rooney Award , named for the late Hall of Famer and founding owner…

6 Ways to Fight Bullying This Month (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Wire ·

Bullying can be a challenging topic to tackle, but it’s important for Scouts and Scouters to be prepared (as Scouts always are). That’s why this October the BSA is shedding light on bullying and its prevention during Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.

The Germ Song for Germs Alive! (opens in a new tab)

Scouter Mom ·

Sandie sent in this question: Where do I find the "Germ Song", the Mucus demonstration and the Sneeze demonstration? Thanks for the question. These are all requirements for the Wolf Germs Alive! adventure. The song and instructions for the demonstrations can be found in the Wolf Handbook.

Giving Up

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

This post is not going to sit well with some folks, but be that as it may, it is a message that I feel is an important part of the Character, Citizenship, and Overall fitness of the Scouts that we are trying to develop.

B-P's Blog – Synthetic Scouting

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

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.

Journey to Excellence 2016 (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

As we approach the end of the year, packs, troops and all other units are working to compile their statistics for the 2015 Journey to Excellence evaluation tool. Yes, it's best to think of it as a tool to help your unit identify its strengths and weaknesses, and guide you to make the changes necessary

Scoutmaster Podcast 288 – Yardsticks

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

Is Scouting a system of measurement? Scouting is more, much, much, more, than a system of measurement, yet it has lots of "yardsticks". Baden-Powell wrote " Scouting is a game. But sometimes I wonder whether, with all our pamphlets, rules, conferences, and training classes we may not appear to be making of it too serious a…

Lego Dimensions game review (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

Lego Dimensions game review Lego Dimensions is a crazy cornucopia of pop culture characters from TV, movie and games. The Simpsons. Batman. The Wizard of Oz. Back to the Future. Portal - they're all here. LEGO DIMENSIONS WBIE for PS4, Xbox One, Wii U Gameplay: 7.9 Graphics: 8.5 Sound: 8.0 Replay Value: 7.5 Overall Score: 8.0…

Living or Dying

The Scoutmaster Minute ·

A Scout Troop is a family.. and it's either living or dying. It's either growing or shrinking, viable or withering on the vine. There are many reasons for this, but the point of the matter is that if we are not watching for it we will let units fail.

Cub Scouting and the LDS Faith in God Program

Cub Scout Ideas ·

The Cub Scout program and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints' Faith in God program share similarities. Find out what the correlations are.

Recruiting Scouts at a "Scout-O-Rama"

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

Jonathan Fillmore, of North Providence, and his son Jonathan Jr., who just signed up last week with the Scouts, take advantage of a special trail built by the Scouts and the Appalachian Mountain Club that is designed to be handicapped-accessible.

Asking for Problems, Asking for Solutions (opens in a new tab)

BSA Innovation Engine ·

What should our first campaign be?" Funnily enough, that question itself is a fantastic starting campaign. When an organization first begins crowdsourcing solutions to their problems, opening with a call for questions is an incredibly effective strategy. The Department of Energy learned this firsthand when they initially launched their Sunshot Catalyst campaign.

Join the #NoBullying2015 Twitter Chat! (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Wire ·

Have you ever joined a Twitter chat? If not, now’s your chance because the BSA is jumping in a live Twitter chat event for Bullying Prevention Awareness Month that you won’t want to miss. In collaboration with Mom.me and PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, the BSA is boosting awareness for bullying prevention and sharing how…

Issue 457 – October 15, 2015 (opens in a new tab)

Ask Andy ·

________________________________________ Hi Andy, I found this very nice Personal Management Merit Badge Workbook using a google search. I would like to use it for our Merit Badge College, but it has a copyright: "Workbook © Copyright 2015 – U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc.

Throwback Thursday: Scout Expo (opens in a new tab)

Jeff's Scouting Blog ·

Scout Expo" took place this past April in the Golden Empire Council. It was essentially a council-wide camporee, and was hosted at Beale AFB. We got to see some of the base, including the Predator drones pictured above. They are really large, as you can tell from the pick-up truck in the picture.

10 years of pioneering projects (opens in a new tab)

Ropes and Poles ·

This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the first post to this blog . Since that first post, I've met people from around the world, online and in person, and been reminded of how Scouting connects us together despite our difference Here are some of the most popular posts on the blog over the last ten…

B-P's Blog – First Principles (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Clarke Green · archived copy

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.

Prepared for college – and life (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

Prepared for Life. It's not just a slogan – it's what Scouts become as a result of being Scouts. For most of our Scouts, life after Scouting begins at college, and for many, it means living away from home for the first time in their lives. It's true of their classmates as well. Most high

Resources to Help You Prove the Value of Scouting (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Wire ·

Have you heard how Scouting promotes positive character development ? Last month Scouting Wire shared a study that shed light on the effectiveness that Scouting has in fostering positive character development in youth. The results proved exactly what we expected: Scouting is succeeding in its goals and missions.

The 2014 Scouting Village Set (opens in a new tab)

A Scoutmaster's Blog ·

It is that time of year. Time to think about Christmas! Well, the retail community wants us to think about Christmas and the holidays. After all, they have lots of things they would like to sell us and they seem to think they need the last three (sometimes four) months of the year to convince…

2015 University of Scouting

Scouter Adam ·

It is once again that time of year for the Cascade Pacific Council University of Scouting. It is also the same time for the Youth to be Trained at Leadership Development Conference. It is put on by the Wauna La-Mon'tay …

Issue 458 – October 22, 2015 (opens in a new tab)

Ask Andy ·

________________________________________ Hi Andy, While I know that the Camping and Service logs in the back of the Scout Handbook are great tools to use in keeping track of these activities, is the use of these mandatory, or is this in the realm of "adding to requirements"?

Aligning your values (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

Something drew you in to be a Scouter. Maybe it was your son bugging you to let him join the Cub Scout pack at school. Maybe you were a Scout as a kid, and you remembered the good times and wanted your son to enjoy them too. A friend might have suggested you get involved

Yoshi's Woolly World game review (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

Yoshi's Woolly World game review Yoshi the apple-cheeked dinosaur has always been one of Nintendo's most lovable characters. So if you like your games cute, but also challenging, Yoshi's Woolly World is for you. YOSHI'S WOOLLY WORLD Nintendo for Wii U Gameplay: 8.5 Graphics: 9.0 Sound: 8.0 Replay Value: 7.5 Overall Score: 8.5 Pros: Beautiful…