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December 2015 Tarzan Learns about Camp Gadgets Cafe Press Items Click here for TCDC! (over 400 cartoons spanning 13 years!) Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
On this #GivingTuesday, the Boy Scouts of America is asking you to invest in the future of Scouting by making a tax-deductible gift.
Last year we held the first ever Girl Scout Jamboree. With more than 11 different chapters and over 250 Girl Scouts in attendance, these young ladies bounced, and I mean bounced , between every activity we offer in the Scott Summit Center.
Last Thursday, we gathered for Thanksgiving. The next day, many of us crowded stores during Black Friday and yesterday many clicked online during Cyber Monday, scrambling for holiday shopping deals. Today, however, is a day dedicated to giving back, a Scouting value that we have instilled in America’s youth for over a century to help…
When thinking about ideation, one of the most important factors to consider is transparency. Although at first glance it may not seem to be so, transparency or the lack thereof can have a huge impact on the level of success of any innovation campaign.
A modest investment in well-made outdoor clothing will assure that you are comfortable in all weathers and better able to enjoy your experiences in the out of doors. I have never regretted spending a little more for clothing that is as durable as it is functional.
Baloo's Bugle: Volume 22 Issue 05 - December 2015 January 2016 Trustworthy | The Great Race Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
Are you looking for a Cub Scout flag ceremony that will be easy for the Scouts to remember? Check out this Five Finger Flag Ceremony--perfect for the boys!
Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, Scouts will fulfill the “duty to God” requirement to advance to any rank, from Tenderfoot to Eagle Scout. When a Scout is ready to move to the next rank he will be asked to reflect on his personal beliefs and tell his Scout leader how he is fulfilling his own duty…
Write a funny caption for this photo and we might print it in the February issue of Boys’ Life! What's going on in this picture? What are those snowmen 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…
________________________________________ Dear Andy, I have a question regarding the relationship between a troop and its chartered organization-in our case, a church, which provides us with meeting and storage spaces. In return, the Scouts of our troop devote between 20 and 25 service project days a year for the church.
Character is that which reveals moral purpose, exposing the class of things a man chooses or avoids. – Aristotle In other words, what we do shows our true Character. For good or ill, how we behave is truly the mark of who we are.
With great conferences, terrific volunteers and professionals, and activities for children, Philmont Training Center is the ultimate family destination.
Mwahahahaha was the sound that was heard bouncing around the Motorway as the traffic started to back up.
Scouts are big fans of bicycles. Earning the Cycling merit badge , riding all those miles of bike trails at The Summit Bechtel Reserve , and taking part in mountain biking at Philmont Scout Ranch are just a few of the many ways Scouts get involved in cycling.
With 2016 just around the corner, councils are gearing up for an exciting year of growth for Exploring and Learning for Life programs. To help prep your councils for the year ahead, the national staff of Learning for Life is sharing the 2016 Growth packets to make program planning a piece of cake.
You can spend as little or as much as you like on camping gear and accumulate lots of things you may use once or twice and lay aside. My choices here are all personally tested and proven, with a good balance of cost for value and durability.
We are pleased to announce an additional commissioned professional position, Deputy Scout Executive. This position was created through a collaborative process between Human Resources and several Scout executives who demonstrated the need for this role in certain local councils. Eligibility for the Deputy Scout Executive position will be restricted to grade 100 and 200 level…
Most of the time when you hear of someone talking about their Eagle project they are referring to their project for their Eagle Scout Rank. I am too old for that type of Eagle project. However, my Eagle project does involve work for a local organization.
You’ve heard the big news about the Summit Bechtel Reserve hosting the 2019 World Scout Jamboree , but did you hear who will be taking the reins of this epic event? According to Scouting Newsroom , Martin “Marty” Walsh has been selected as the executive director of the 2019 World Scout Jamboree.
Each year, the United States Naval Academy (USNA) welcomes Boy Scout troops to the USNA STEM Merit Badge Jamboree. Members of USNA’s chapter of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) share their expertise with troops during an adventure-packed weekend. The upcoming jamboree is scheduled for January 15-17, 2016, and attendance is expected to be huge.
Dec. 2, 1957 - The Northest Ohio Council holds their Class of 1957 Eagle Scout Court of Honor, the first event of this kind sponsored by the council according to the article on another page. My father is pictured farthest to the right.
New Boy Scout rank requirements that take effect on Jan. 1, 2016, put a greater emphasis on Scouts being physically active.
Lorraine sent in this question: What type of shirt do female den leaders wear? (yellow or tan)I want to get a shirt to wear so my Webelo Scouts understand and take pride in the uniform. (lead by example) I never had a shirt before, we are Webelo 1.
Last Saturday was a special time for one local girl when she was named to the highest position within the Sea Scouts, Quarter Master. Gina Beckman, who attends the University of Tennessee Martin, has been involved with the Sea Scouts for a number of years.
The Boys' Life Warehouse Sale: Limited-edition Boys' Life products for sale at everything-must-go prices.
Tents, tarps and sleeping gear form the foundation of your camping kit, here are my choices for adequate shelter and a good night's sleep. Kelty Noah Tarp In most camping situations I prefer a tarp to a tent. The tarp can be pitched in more places, configured in different ways, and provides plenty of space.
As a holiday thank you to readers and listeners… I've created a special holiday package of e-books and my PDF package. at 40% off the regular price of $25.00 The package includes: Ebook Edition Learn more about the book Ebook Edition (two Books in one!)
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.
Introduction to Leadership Skills Training (ILST), for some of you it means JLT others remember TLT.. either way it amounts to training your youth leaders to make their troop better. Each year we conduct our youth training with the goal of getting the youth leaders of the troop all on the same page, giving them…
Our Webelos II den was in charge of the December pack meeting, so we did a couple fun activities that I'll cover over the next few posts. The first was building an army of marshmallow snowmen to take over the world (well, maybe just to take over sugar dreams of the scouts).
Why take Wood Badge? Scouters say it "made me a better leader," "helped me turn my troop around" and is "one of the best training experiences I have had."
A commenter on a story in The New York Times made the observation: Belief is the conviction that one already knows; learning, in contrast, requires an awareness that one has yet to know. This is what happens when a mania for belief takes over your life. Eventually, you become incapable of learning. New information goes
One of our top priorities for 2016 is to find new and innovative ways to reach out and provide a quality Scouting experience for underserved youth. So it’s always inspiring to see how some of our units are already working creatively with community partners to get a head start on that important goal.
How do you decide who is right for the job? I think it's a mistake to select a new Scoutmaster as you would hire an employee with interviews, applications, etc. This is something very, very different. I wouldn't choose a new Scoutmaster based on knowledge of the outdoors, training, or experience because those are very…
Test your Star Wars IQ with our fun trivia quiz. Use the Force. Test your knowledge of Star Wars characters, vehicles and history with this fun quiz. Photos by iStock.com View On WordPress
Boy Scout service hour requirements will soon increase in a series of BSA program updates beginning Jan. 1, 2016. Bryan on Scouting has been giving us the breakdown for the upcoming program changes and recently shared an article detailing the new service hour requirements.
An assistant Scoutmaster wonders how using disposable paper and plastic products (camp waste) aligns with the BSA's commitment to environmental stewardship.
Attention Scouters…It's back! We will be offering our Early-Bird Discount again for the 2017 the Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base at the Summit Bechtel Reserve! Some of you may have thought "Well, with National Jamboree going on that summer they surely won't be offering any summer programs."
Several months ago, we first invited you to get your innovation fitness score by answering 10 simple survey questions; questions about your organization and its support for innovation (or lack thereof). Now, having a glance through the first batch of results, we are able to see some interesting trends, trends which are consistent across industry…
Just east of the Mississippi lies a council that hosts one of the largest University of Scouting events in the region – averaging over a thousand participants a year! Lewis & Clark Council ’s annual extravaganza provides training for all levels of Scouting and it’s the highlight of the training year.
Another part of the pack meeting the den ran last week was singing the "12 Days of Scoutmas." Several weeks ago, I spent a good part of a den meeting working with the Webelos in the den to plan the agenda for the pack meeting.
It's a story of five boys adventuring together." Friends from Troop 820 of Chapel Hill, N.C., have seen Scouting take them to every high-adventure base.
SPONSORED: Space Camp offers an unforgettable week for your Scout-age kids — one that could spark a career in an important field that's actually hiring.
A clever way to raise money or a really stupid idea you tell me
Eagle Scout Logan S. prepares a plane for liftoff at the Bobby Chain regional airport. (Photo submitted to the Hattiesburg American) When Logan S. earned the Eagle Scout rank at age 15, it was clear he would reach incredible heights.
This summer, a Cub Scout Pack in the Sam Houston Area Council hosted a back-to-school event and invited local parents to bring their sons for an afternoon of regatta-themed adventure. Rachel, a mom blogger and creator of A Southern Fairytale , was not quite sure what to expect when she and her son arrived at the…
A season of giving, thanks and cheer, the holidays are a special time to look back on all of the wonderful Scouting memories of 2015. The BSA has always been committed to serving the youth of America through its programs and adventures, and today, we wish to say ‘thank you’ to all of the leaders…
The new year is approaching quickly, with only a few short weeks before we ring in 2016. To assist in your council’s strategic planning for next year, the Performance Management Department is providing demographic data specific to each council. Councils can locate the Demographic and Income Profile and Total Available Youth by Ethnicity Table on…
Gary Butler, Deputy Chief Scout Executive and chief operating officer will be retiring at the end of this month, effective December 31, 2015. Gary, a Distinguished Eagle Scout, began his Scouting career in 1980 as a district executive in Long Island, N.Y.
Exciting updates are coming in 2016 for BSA camp programs, including new activities and changes to shooting sports and aquatics programs. New shooting sports activities will be offered such as sporting arrows, chalk balls, cowboy action, and more. Aquatics programs will also be seeing changes due to new Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations.
Who's more nervous about that first night sleeping in a tent: the Cub Scouts or their moms or dads? In some of our Scouting families, the answer is both.
As Scouters, we're prepared for the unexpected emergency during an event. But what about the possibility the event might not happen at all? Have a plan B.
Nina sent in this question: Hi Scouter Mom! You have been my go to recourse guide for all things Cub Scouts, my Son just earned is AOL, and recently started Boy Scouts, I still have one more Son in Cub Scouts, he is a Wolf.
While helping a couple Cub Scout packs in my district with their rechartering this fall, we were trying to figure out how to juggle the few adult volunteers so that all the positions are filled. The Cubmaster doubles as the den leader for his son's den (definitely not a recommended practice). They still needed an
Christmas is always a good time to equip your scout with a few items he might need (or want). So what could that be this year? Two trends you may have noticed lately with regards to outdoor recreation has involved Glamping and Hammocking.
The morning of July 30, 2015, was just like any other morning atop Philmont’s Tooth of Time. Until it wasn’t. The sun had just cracked the horizon, and the view from that rocky 9,003-foot summit extended for miles. Then came something unexpected: two blasts from a kudu horn, the musical instrument used to signal the…
________________________________________ Dear Andy, I have a question about one of the Q&A's in your December 1st column about the relationship between chartered organizations and the Scouting units they sponsor. This is the reference point I'm using: www.scouting.org/About/FactSheets/operating_orgs.aspx Your advice about the service projects for the chartered organization was great, up until your "by the way" comment…
One last reminder – be sure not to miss my holiday wishlists!
When Paul Attwater's son received a congratulatory note from JanSport co-founder (and former Scout) Skip Yowell in 2013, something was memorably different.
You have likely heard the fable about the blind men and the elephant. It's a tale that's told in many of the world's religions as a means of explaining how everyone views the diety differently. One version of the story is told: Six blind men were asked to determine what an elephant looked like by
15 awesome Star Wars-themed pinewood derby cars built by Boys’ Life readers … Jump into hyperspace with these 15 awesome Star Wars-themed pinewood derby cars built by Boys' Life readers. View On WordPress
Wait just a darn minute, one aim one method, I thought there were more? Well, yes, we commonly hear about multiple aims and methods employed in Scouting, but I think you can reduce them to one each. Understand I am not suggesting we change things, but just presenting a (hopefully) better way of understanding our…
________________________________________ A fine Scouting friend, and true gentleman, Kendall Brown, has "gone home." Thank you, Kendall. It was my honor to have known you. To your family, please accept my profound sympathy for your–our–loss. ———————————————————————- Dear Andy, One particular Scout in our troop, who's been with us for a couple of years now, seems to need ongoing…
Want to make this next Pinewood Derby the best one yet? I've got you covered with these 10 Pinewood Derby planning tips.
During this season of giving, I often think about how our Scouting for Food program has evolved into a lasting goodwill adventure for many of our councils. It is a wonderful example of how our spirit of service to our communities knows no boundaries.
Millions of people who can't access the power of technology are being left behind-excluded from a world of opportunity. In order to address this divide, Hewlett Packard Enterprise has launched the Living Progress Challenge . HPE is inviting the global community to bring forward great ideas and proposed solutions that answer the question: What software applications…
What do you get an adult scouter who already has everything he needs for scouting? Is there really anything else you could possibly get? Of course there is – always! How about a Bernzomatic TS4000? It slices, it dices, it… ok, just kidding.
Hosting a Cub Scout gift exchange for the holidays? Then check out this fun story that doubles as a game. The Cub Scouts will love it!
A trail camera can tell you what’s lurking in the dark. Here’s how to buy and use one. What's walking around out there in the dark while you're asleep in your tent? Or visiting camp while you're off hiking? What's raiding your dog's chow in the backyard?
Hoozah! We just completed the migration to our new seasonal staff job application software and we are ready to take your application! We are hoping that you will find the application process to be an absolute breeze. For you returning staff members, we listened to your feedback and have tried to make the process smoother…
In 1957, Harrison Ford — before portraying that hero from a galaxy far, far away — played a heroic role much closer to home: Boy Scout summer camp staffer.
The BSA and the National Park Service (NPS) have been partners from the beginning; through campouts, hikes, and volunteerism, millions of Scouts have experienced and supported their national parks for more than 100 years. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, we are excited to unveil the design for the NPS Centennial…
Is your council participating in a 2016 Learning for Life STEM day camp? All staff and volunteers from councils interested in utilizing STEM day camps are invited to join the Learning for Life STEM Day Camp webinar on Tuesday, Jan.
Do you love campfires and the stories told around them? Does dining in the woods sound like a five-star meal to you? Well get ready to celebrate! Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, camping requirements for First Class Boy Scouts will increase.
It’s the spot where every Scout’s High-Adventure dreams come true. The place where adrenaline pumping fun meets exploring what it means to be a leader. It’s the Summit Bechtel Reserve, and it’s looking for enthusiastic, seasonal staff members for next summer who can help bring Scouts the best summers of their lives.
The following piece was composed for a BSA ScoutCast. The concept applies admirably to pioneering when Scouts, who who have the proper “tools” and are capable and ready, care to embrace the construction of any-size pioneering project. The Guided Discovery Process is a fancy term for what?
Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, Scouts will use new Boy Scout requirements at every rank. But how does the transition process work?
How do I replace the grip tape on my skateboard? Q. Help, Gear Guy! The grip tape on my skateboard is starting to fall off. How do I remove it? - Loosey Goosey, Willoughby, Ohio A. It might seem like a tough job, but it's actually pretty easy.
Being used to preparing for the bitter cold potential of Minnesota winter camping, it feels weird to be packing for a trek across Florida starting on January 3. Yep, I talked my youngest Eagle son into accompanying me from Key West to Lake Okeechobee.
When Scouts and Venturers descend on the Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base at SBR, they'll be among the first in the BSA to try crossbows.
The January-February issue of Scouting will be reaching mailboxes this month. Here's a sneak peek at the stories you'll find inside!
New Campfire Song for All scouts
As I was driving home from work I was listening to a local Classical Music station.. it sooths me. What I like about the Classical station and most talk radio stations is that they do not play a lot of advertisements.
More than 5 million page views — up from 4 million last year — helped make 2015 the best year ever for Bryan on Scouting. These were the 15 most-read posts.
2015 was an incredible year for Scouting Wire. The first Scouting website of its kind, Scouting Wire launched in March of this year to be every volunteer and employee’s one-stop-shop for Boy Scouts of America program updates, leadership news, training, recruiting, fundraising, Scouting success stories and more.
As the Christian world prepares to celebrate Christmas, I thought I'd devote this week's article to a few reflections on our founder, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, and his wife on the subject of Christmas. Baden-Powell was an accomplished artist who produced his own special-occasion cards.
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Please enjoy this encore edition while the podcast is on vacation right along with you as you enjoy the holidays with your friends and family. I'll be back on January 11th with podcast 298. You can listen to our archived podcasts here Get a copy of "twas our first night out camping" here Music on…
To be early is to be on time…" This is a saying that is often heard around Scouting and pardon me in this post, but one of my pet peeves. I absolutely hate, yeah.. strong word.. but I hate this saying.
One volunteer suggests you turn a positive story into a recruiting message by including this at the end of every piece of unit communication.
Happy Holidays everyone! We are now three weeks into December and last week it was dang near 70 degrees outside, not that we are complaining, just that it's hard to believe this year is almost over and that we are in the heart of the holiday season.
Thousands of Scouts have taken ATV training at Scout camps across the country. They're using their new skills as they explore — and build — ATV trails.
The long awaited day has arrived! Having received some fantastic entries, we have officially chosen and are extremely pleased to share our winners for the 2015 Innovation Management Awards . Western Australian Police-Best Engagement Strategy The Western Australian Police (WAPOL) is the winner of the Best Engagement Strategy for their Frontline 2020 campaign.
________________________________________ Mary Tomchuk, of the Patriots' Path Council in New Jersey, educator; Eagle Scout Mom; Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope, St. George and Bronze Pelican recipient; Scouter extraordinaire, has too soon Gone Home. She touched, it's safe to say, thousands of lives including my own.
Learn how to draw a bear from a pro Bears are fun to draw. Watch this video to find out how to draw one with this art lesson from Aaron Blaise, an Oscar-nominated animator who worked on The Lion King , Aladdin , Brother Bear and more.
Continuing our much delayed recap of NOAC 2015... Day 4 (Tuesday) This was our second day at the conference, and the first full day. The morning started off with training classes, which we had chosen months earlier in in the online registration.
The committee of Melrose Cub Scout Pack 68 would like to see the Scouts earn the Journey To Excellence patch for 2015 so they have been coming up with service projects for the boys. In June the pack did a cleanup project in the city park, picking up trash along the pond and softball field.
Melrose Cub Scout Pack 68 currently has 18 members from Tiger Cubs through Webelos Scouts. The pack committee has been doing a great job of finding things to keep the Scouts interested in Scouting and things that are fun to do.
