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________________________________________ "Boy Scouts" have been featured in just a few movies in the past 60 or so years. Back in 1953 we had "Mister Scoutmaster," with Clifton Webb as his usual crusty self, but his role plays off a boy who's a Cub Scout.
For 106 years, the life-changing experiences enjoyed in Scouting have been limited to humans. Thanks to Puppy Scouts, that's about to change.
April 2016 Archaeological Discovery Cafe Press Items Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
Aside from Eagle Scout, merit badges are probably the most visible and iconic part of Scouting to those not involved in the program. "Did you get a merit badge for that?" is sometimes asked when someone does an extraordinarily good deed – a social currency akin to earning "brownie points" for anything from volunteering for
The left-handed Scout handshake unites two Scouts from anywhere on the planet. But why is this nonverbal greeting done with the left hand?
Tea that is hotter than the Sun I remember a little while ago stopping at services, did my business, and went to get a cup of tea from McDonalds (you wouldn't by choice get anything else). While in line I overheard the following conversation: Server: Madame your tea. Lady: oh! You have not put the
We work with our Scouts as they come to us…. I'll discuss two different parent-related issues in this third (and final) in a series of podcasts about Scout parents – First we'll acknowledge getting parents to understand the way advancement works can be a big challenge.
If you’ve ever been to a Cub Scout day camp, you know they’re jam-packed with awesome summer activities. But which is the best one? Tug-of-War? Or is Human Foosball the main event? Maybe you’re even Team Archery. Now we can settle the debate once an for all (or at least for this summer), thanks to…
Scouts grow older as the years go by, yet the principles and skills they learn from the Boy Scouts of America stick with them for a lifetime, keeping them Prepared. For Life. Years of emergency prep training came rushing back to 34-year-old Eagle Scout John Sidlinger as he jumped to help a woman trapped inside…
Summer brings schedules that shift and swirl like a warm July breeze. Finding activities to keep your den and pack active can be a challenge.
Sea Scouting has become its own separate program with the BSA, and the move has generated some questions among current (and future!) Sea Scouts.
The Jamboree Band will provide music for ceremonies, events and shows throughout the 2017 National Scout Jamboree. But first, they need to find the right musicians. Jamboree Band members should be Scouts, Venturers or adult leaders who can play an instrument at a high-school level.
Josh Hart, whose Villanova Wildcats captured the 2016 NCAA Championship in dramatic fashion, is an Eagle Scout.
The Well-Traveled Scout Pack Look closely and you might recognize the red insignia on the vintage canvas bag below. But more than an old Scouting knapsack, this bag is a well-traveled, good-luck charm. That's according to its owner, anyway. In an Instagram post , photographer and avid traveler Jacob Walker shared a photo of his cherished…
Curlews. Bulls. Wolves. Ravens. – These are the very first Scout Patrols that ever existed. They were the Patrols Baden-Powell formed from the twenty-one boys that had come to Brownsea Island for his famous experiment with the Scouting framework. Baden-Powell could have led the whole camp single-handedly through the respect his reputation had earned and the…
After spending the winter months getting the trailer ready for camping duty, we were itching to get out and put it through it's paces. What better place to do that than the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park ? Day 0 We left Denver after work on Friday, with a slight delay as we waited…
The Boy Scouts of America has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Boston-based Unitarian Universalist Association that will help grow Scouting.
Youth Protection Month every April gives us a great opportunity to spread the word about how to protect young people from abuse.
Clayton Kershaw’s heart matches his other-worldly pitching talent. @KershsChallenge @ClaytonKersh22 @Dodgers By Sam Blair Clayton Kershaw is a champion in two starkly different worlds. One world is full of glamour and acclaim - the bright lights of Major League Baseball. Kershaw, 28, the Los Angeles Dodgers' 6-foot-4, 225-pound lefthander, is one of the best pitchers in…
Did you hear that? It’s the sounds of birds chirping, campfires crackling and food sizzling on the grill. Yep – spring is here and with it comes outdoor cooking season. While a good Scout can cook up a mean meal outside anytime of the year, it’s that time again when we can get back to the…
Earlier this year, the 13th and latest edition of a rather familiar “face” began appearing in Scout shops around the country: the Boy Scout Handbook . For 105 years — with more than 40 million copies in print — this guide to life and adventure has helped shepherd millions of boys through the ranks of Scouting, and from…
Here are 7 giant creations to make in Minecraft Block Wonders by Kirsten Kearney tells you how to build giant, super structures in Minecraft. Here are a few of the coolest: Space Shuttle It took Felix, the designer, eight hours to make this Minecraft tribute to NASA's intricate, orbital spacecraft.
Youth Protection is a year-round topic. Remember to spread the word, aim to gain more awareness of how to protect youth from abuse, and acknowledge all of your efforts to keep our programs safe for youth and leaders. Take some time this month to discover and review these updates, revisions, and opportunities.
Jeff Bostwick, a member of the Boy Scout Experience Task Force, challenges troops to do more during summer — "the prime time for Scouting."
________________________________________ Dear Andy – My grandson has just completed his Eagle project and wants to place a commemorative sign at the location. When my two previous grandsons were completing their Eagle projects, I remember seeing Scout signs for this purpose; however, we can't seem to locate them on the Scouting.org website.
Judging by the tens of thousands of views, by now you’ve seen our #HandbookHack video series on YouTube , Facebook and ScoutingWire . It’s an outstanding series highlighting a few of the many ways Scouts are the ultimate life hackers — using the Boy Scout Handbook as our guide.
From streams to rivers to lakes, you can fish it all at fish camp. By Aaron Derr Photographs by W. Garth Dowling There are lots of different ways to experience freshwater fishing. You can take a trip to a river, you can take a trip to a stream or you can take a trip to…
Calvin Johnson presented the Calvin Johnson Jr. Peach of an Athlete Award last week to Jonathon Johnson, a Boy Scout in the Atlanta Area Council.
Cub Scout Day Camp Activity Bracket Challenge We had a lot of fun with March Madness this year, and even cheered on Villanova's Eagle Scout, Josh Hart . But just as March Madness ends, and baseball season begins, our thoughts turn to the warming weather and the inevitability of summer.
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Last year, councils in the BSA's Central Region partnered with Soles4Souls, a not-for-profit organization trying to fighting poverty by distributing shoes.
In this chapter of Scouts Then and Now, we share 49 sets of photos that show the same young person in two stages of their Scouting lives.
I like working with the Scouts. I think it is one of the best organizations for a boy or young man to be a member of. That is why I was a scoutmaster for thirty years, and than stayed on as a committee member.
If you were reading this blog last December, you probably read the article I wrote about my "Eagle Project". It is not an Eagle project in the normal use of the term. I am too old to be working on my Eagle Scout requirements, after all.
Once again, there are sordid details of child abuse by a prominent member of society in the headlines. The latest incident involved former Congressman and speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) who is accused of sexually molesting boys when he was a high school wrestling coach prior to his service in elected office.
I am not sure how many small town communities have their own museum of local history, but I am happy to say the Melrose has one. The Melrose Area Museum is located in the old St. Mary's convent building, found near St.
Ouch! How to remove a fishhook without making it worse It's happened to almost every fisherman at some point. Those fishhooks are sharp, and when they get stuck in your skin, you're going to feel it. First, don't panic. Let a doctor remove the hook, and it'll be fine.
Scouting introduces youth to a world of fun and opportunity they can’t get anywhere else. It teaches young men how to grow into the leaders of tomorrow and inspires them to do their best. But Scouts aren’t just gaining the positive, character-building benefits for themselves – they are passing them on to others by being a…
Thanks to an Arizona teen’s Boy Scout training and quick-thinking, 26-year-old baseball coach Isaac Wenrich is alive after suffering a massive heart attack last week. Nathan B., jumped into action to administer the first aid training he learned in Boy Scouts after his coach, Wenrich, collapsed on the field during practice drills.
What constitutes a night of Scout camping? You'll find the qualifier "under the auspices of Scouting" or something similar in advancement requirements that describe nights of camping. What, exactly, does this mean? I'll give you my best answer to this and other email questions that we'll discuss in this podcast.
________________________________________ Dear Scoutmasters, I've just received another letter inviting me to a court of honor for your troop's newest Eagle Scout-the most recent in a string of several hundred in the past ten years alone. Your letter lauds this Scout's service project and gives great detail of all the work done.
Scouts across the Lone Star State joined the “Don’t mess with Texas” Trash-Off event this Saturday to celebrate the anti-litter campaign’s thirtieth anniversary. Their pledge to “keep Texas beautiful ” was made at the Circle Ten Council in Dallas on Wednesday, as they stood in front of a massive 12-foot ball of garbage.
5 reasons why the new Ratchet & Clank is so cool Ratchet & Clank are two of the most beloved characters in the world of games. Here's why their first game for the PS4 is one of the year's best family-friendly games.
In Owen's neighborhood in Los Angeles, violence is so endemic that his street shares its name with a local gang. Thankfully, Owen is a Webelos Scout.
With the Summit Visitors Pass, we've got you covered. The Summit is opening up to visitors this summer! A visitors pass is a great time for family and friends, and open to the public. We're all set…
You’ve heard about Exploring.org’s new look and since then, you’ve been clamoring to get your hands on some fun resources to fuel your Exploring experience. Now, we’ve launched what you’ve been looking for – the Exploring Activity Library , full of career-specific content to serve all of your Exploring needs.
Your comments and feedback on the Lion pilot program have been terrific! It’s great to see so much enthusiasm about the prospects of reaching kindergarten-age boys with the fun and excitement of Scouting. It’s also very helpful to see the questions you’ve raised.
Last week, we shared highlights from the first two versions (“original” and “first” editions) of the Boy Scout Handbook. Today, we’ll take a look at our favorite handbook’s second edition. As you know by now, the Boy Scout Handbook’s second edition was actually the third publication of the handbook, following the original and first editions.
Today's Cub Scouts till use terms like Akela, pack and den that can be traced to Rudyard Kipling's original set of stories called "The Jungle Book."
Okay, I admit I’m a Boy Scout Handbook junkie. I don’t collect patches, mugs or a lot of other memorabilia, but I do love old Scouting books, especially old editions of the handbook. Perhaps it is because the handbook is such an iconic classic, or maybe because each edition evokes the smell of wood smoke…
Three Boy Scouts and a Cub Scout demonstrated foil-pack cooking techniques from the Boy Scout Handbook in a segment on Fox & Friends this morning.
Will Lions be part of the Cub Scout pack? By adding another year to the program, is the BSA concerned about "burnout"? And why was the Lions name chosen?
Pack 263 of Windham, N.H., won a big prize in the local supermarket's Monopoly game. What they did with the winnings is unbelievably inspiring.
By Aaron Derr Photographs by Beth Wald and Rachid Dahnoun When the young men of Troop 16 in Columbus, Ohio, went west last summer, they did it in style: 13 days, thousands of miles on a train, six major cities, two national parks … and one giant adventure.
Our older son, a second-year medical student, came over and joined us for lunch this weekend. He filled us in on some of what the school is planning for next year's incoming class. For the past year, he has been the volunteer leader of a co-curricular study program called Case-Based Learning, in which second-year students
We asked two volunteers for the 2017 Jamboree to review a few of the problematic areas for 2013 — and share how they've been addressed.
Scout Program: Fitness and Nutrition … Get FITT Not only is good fitness essential to many of the most fun Scout activities, it's also a major contributor to a long, healthy life. Improve your fitness by keeping track of the frequency, intensity, time and type of exercises you do.
The hosts of Fox & Friends were in for a treat Thursday morning when a group of culinarian Boy Scouts from the Greater New York Councils paid a visit. The Scouts shared techniques for preparing delicious foil packet feasts , showing Fox & Friends viewers how simple and fun foil cooking can be.
Exploring the fun and adventure of your favorite national park is easier than ever this week because admission is free! That’s right – if you visit any national park through Sunday it won’t cost you a single penny. Why? In honor of the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary and National Park Week, every national park has…
This slideshow requires JavaScript. Click here to watch a video tutorial. The sheet bend is the preferred knot for tying together two ropes of the same or different diameters. Here's how to tie the sheet bend: Make a bight in the end of the thicker rope and hold it with one hand.
This slideshow requires JavaScript. Click here to watch a video tutorial. The clove hitch is used to begin and end many lashings. Here's how to tie it: Bring the running end of the rope over and under a pole. Take the end around a second time, crossing over the first wrap to form the shape…
This slideshow requires JavaScript. Click here to watch a video tutorial. The timber hitch is the perfect knot to use for dragging a log across the ground. It is also the knot that starts a diagonal lashing. Here's how to tie a timber hitch: Pass the running end of the rope around a log.
How about your Scouts? How about their parents? This podcast features advice for Scouters attending summer camp and parents who are staying home. I'll discuss ten things that will make life at summer camp smooth sailing for you and your Scouts, and also share some things parents can do to prepare their Scouts and themselves…
We had our annual "Advancement Campout" recently and I saw (well heard) the scouts do something that really brought joy that the patrol method works. It was the first troop campout for most of the new scouts in the troop, and the whole group of new scouts made it.
Wood Badge ticket items cover a range of Scouting efforts. What is your favorite act of service to Scouting? Share it here.
Sometimes Scouts have trouble coming up with new ideas when planning meals for camp. Foil packs, hamburgers, hotdogs, repeat. This article from Boy's Life Magazine give some suggestions for cooking foods that boys enjoy at home. Recipes include: pizza Chinese takeout ice cream nachos fresh baked bread Use these tried and true recipes to add…
________________________________________ Hi Andy, I hope you can guide us! In just this past week, our Chartered Organization Representative ("CR") out of the blue started tearing apart our troop. First, he removed our Scoutmaster, replaced her with one of his friends who was an Assistant Scoutmaster.
The Boy Scouts of America is one of 13 founding members of Water Safety USA, a new roundtable of organizations committed to preventing drownings.
Illinois Boy Scout Tristin Budzyn-Barker returned a lost wallet belonging to actor Chris Hemsworth. That good turn got him on "The Ellen Degeneres Show."
Scout Landon D. shares plans to finish his Eagle project before college. (Photo Credit: ESPN) Landon D. is a talented young man. He’s one of the top-rated offensive tackles in the country, he graduated from high school early, and he could even get a head-start in his classes at Florida State University.
Growing up in the projects of Los Angeles, Calif., Fernando Acuna was a teenager who aspired to build a better future for himself, but was unsure how to get there. Yet when he was introduced to Exploring, Acuna’s vision for the future became a lot clearer.
So far, we’ve covered the “original,” first, and second editions of the Boy Scout Handbook on our journey through Scouting history. Today, the handbook’s third edition is taking the spotlight. Officially titled The Revised Handbook for Boys, First Edition, this version of the handbook is sometimes referred to as the “first modern handbook,” due to…
Earth Day has a special place in our organization’s culture– as our members know, responsible stewardship of the planet is key to being a good Scout. Since BSA’s early beginnings, Scouts have been caring for the planet. The organization’s “Leave No Trace” principles demonstrate how Scouts show respect for the great outdoors.
Scouting is for everyone, so in honor of Autism Awareness Month, I wanted to direct you toward six resources for working with Scouts with autism.
Coming soon to your mailbox: The May-June issue of Scouting magazine features stories on Sea Scouting, troop fitness, knot-tying and much more!
Serious about STEM? Time to prove it. Turn your passion for STEM into real results by attending one of these STEM conferences at Philmont or SBR.
I love the wood projects that we make at our Cub Scout day camp! Because they are useful items, they aren't likely to be thrown away. I suspect that some of the children of our day camp attendees will see the table or chair or tray that dad built when he was in Cub Scouts.
Why will the 2017 National Jamboree be the most epic Scouting extravaganza yet? Because Russell Smart, program chairman for the 2017 Jamboree, is committed to creating the ultimate Scouting celebration. Smart and his team of jamboree experts are hard at work, using feedback from the 2013 Jamboree as a tool to sculpt the program until…
This slideshow requires JavaScript. Two half-hitches form a loop that can secure a rope to a post or grommet. It is commonly used to tie guy lines onto a dining fly. Here's how to tie this knot. Pass the running end of the rope around the post or through the grommet.
It's Time to Get Cooking Outdoors When the weather changes and your day dreams turn to spending more time in the beautiful outdoors, there's one universal question that comes with camping season: What to eat?? Well, Scouting Wire has mined the archives of Scouting magazine and drummed up five recipes that call on that ol…
Productive Scout Meetings Are Here! No buts about it, Cub Scouts can often be a wiggly bunch. That youthful energy, curiosity and endless need to explore is simply what makes a Cub Scout a Cub Scout. But sometimes there are moments where sitting still long enough to learn something, to show respect or to embrace…
Social Media and Scouting is a tough thing to understand. In this digital age, we want to share what is happening or what we are doing. As well as what we are eating! I first wrote about Social Media …
Although Scouting is a year-round activity, many troop and pack committees don't hold regular meetings during the summer months. There's either just not enough business to make holding a meeting worthwhile, or there aren't enough committee members around to be able to get anything done. If your unit committee follows this pattern, there are a
On April 10, nearly 12,000 Scouts, Scouters and family members packed Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium for the annual confluence of Scouting and baseball.
Congratulations to Ed Martin who will begin serving as Scout Executive of the Old North State Council on May 1, 2016. Ed started his Scouting career as a district executive at the Central Florida Council in Orlando, Fla and then served as the field director.
Lions: Answers to your top questions We've seen a lot of great feedback, comments and questions from the announcement earlier this year about Lions, the pilot program for kindergarten boys slated to roll out this fall. It's been great to see so much enthusiasm about the prospects of reaching kindergarten-age boys with the fun and…
This slideshow requires JavaScript. Click here to watch a video tutorial. To create an adjustable loop that stays in place, use the taut-line hitch. This is the knot to use for staking out the guy lines of your tent or dining fly.
Have you seen the first volume of the Troop Leader Guidebook? Join Walter Underwood and myself as we review the first volume of the Troop Leader Guidebook. Like Walter I accumulated a collection of Scoutmaster Handbooks. From the very first edition to the last they were uniformly mediocre at best.
Our study of handbooks though history brings us to the Handbook for Boys, Fourth Edition this week, as we discover Scouting in the 1940s! Similarly, to its predecessor, the fourth edition of the handbook is officially titled, The Revised Handbook for Boys, First Edition, although “First Edition” was removed in later printings.
Day Camp Activity Bracket Challenge Update It's been a couple of weeks, and the Day Camp Activity Bracket Challenge has continued to narrow down what voters in the ‘digital pack' view as their favorite Day Camp activity. Of course, this just-for-fun bracket challenge might confirm what many of you already suspected, Archery and BB Guns…
My troop just spent the weekend camping at White Rocks near Dugway, for the second April in a row. We like this destination in April for a few reasons. First, it’s generally warmer and drier out in Utah’s west desert as my scouts “transition” between winter camping and summer backpacking.
Do your part to expand Venturing's reach by attending one of several youth and adult Venturing conferences held this summer at Philmont and the Summit.
My troop just spent the weekend camping at White Rock near Dugway, for the second April in a row. We like this destination in April for a few reasons. First, it's generally warmer and drier out in Utah's west desert as my scouts "transition" between winter camping and summer backpacking.
My troop just spent the weekend camping at White Rock near Dugway, for the second April in a row. We like this destination in April for a few reasons. First, it's generally warmer and drier out in Utah's west desert as my scouts "transition" between winter camping and summer backpacking.
Eight stand-out lodges across Scouting Nation have been chosen to receive the National Service Award. Selected by the National Committee of the Order of the Arrow, these lodges were honored based on the service of their members in their local councils in 2015.
________________________________________ The term "Inner City" hadn't been invented in the late 1940's and through the 1950's, when my neighborhood pals and I grew up in America's third most densely populated city (bracketed by numbers one and two). This was likely a good thing, because it meant we had no idea we were supposed to be "underprivileged."
Effie Delimarkos has been named Communications Director for the Boy Scouts of America’s National Service Center, effective April 25. She joins the BSA after spending the previous 14 years in a number of public relations and marketing communication roles, including at Ketchum Public Relations; Johnson & Johnson; Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide; and, most recently, as director…
Eagle Scout K’Von Jackson was one of just 25 Illinois residents to receive the Governor's Volunteer Service Award earlier this month.
Last week, BSA hosted the National Growth Conference, an event created to build excitement and alignment around membership growth, nationwide. The conference was broadcast live from an AT&T studio in downtown Dallas, not far from the National Service Center. Staff members and volunteers from across the country shared fresh takes on our Game Plan, membership…
When the Lions begin to roar this fall, they’ll be wearing a cool new t-shirt and optional cap as their uniform! As we know, uniforming is an important method of Scouting. It helps BSA’s youth members feel special and a part of something great.
