Posts in July 2016

Cub Scouts compete at an epic pinewood derby race in Times Square

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

Forget about the neon signs and towering buildings in New York City's Times Square. Last Saturday, the center of attention was a 45-foot pinewood derby racetrack. More than 250 Scouts from as far away as California sent their handmade cars flying down the track during the Greater New York Council's 2016 Cub Scout Pinewood Derby…

SBR Staff Volunteer Effort (opens in a new tab)

Summit Blog ·

Friday 6/24/16 we were informed of 160 displaced residents of Rainelle had been taken to Ansted Baptist Church in Ansted, WV. They were in need of cots blankets and towels. Needless to say, our staff jumped into action. After coordinating with the Supply Division at The Summit Bechtel Reserve 100 Cots, 62 Blankets, and 72…

Anyone for Coffee

Jabbering All Day Long ·

Coffee on Day 3 So made it to day three that's quite impressive at the moment. I think it might be time for a Coffee. This coffee machine was a wedding present almost 10 years ago and I still don't know all the functions

Enjoy Independence Day! Podcast Returns July 11th

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

Enjoy this 240th Independence Day! Join me for the 323rd edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast on July 11th!

Is there a "recruiting season"? (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

In a couple all-too-short months, it'll be fall, and Cub Scout packs will be holding Boy Talks and Join Scouting nights, re-registering boys for another year of fun and accepting new ones into the fold. Fun lies ahead, and we don't want them to miss out on any of it. Boy Scout troops usually accept

Issue 494 – July 5, 2016 (opens in a new tab)

Ask Andy ·

________________________________________ Hi Andy, I have a problem with my grandson, who's a Star rank Scout. I'm an "old timer"-been in Scouting as an adult since 1988-and still proud of my Scout uniform. My wife (his grandmother) and I pay for my grandson's Scouting experiences: all except summer camp, which his mom pays for.

Newport Clock Tower – 100Days

Jabbering All Day Long ·

Clock Tower in the Sun Most days I travel to Newport for work and then home again. One evening while waiting for my train the Clock Tower on the council building was illuminated by evening sun. I will admit to editing to photo slightly

Why shouting 'sign's up' to quiet Scouts kind of defeats the purpose

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

The Scout sign holds incredible power. Without saying a word, a leader can raise the Scout sign and transform a room of rowdy Scouts into a quiet, attentive group. Sometimes it take a few moments, but eventually the Scouts notice the silent signal and raise their sign.

Convincing volunteers to get Trained (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

Hi! I'm not trained at all in how a Boy Scout troop is supposed to be run and I haven't been vetted by anyone on having the skills necessary to take your son and his friends camping or hiking…So how'd you like to entrust your first-born to me??? Ask Andy, the NetCommissioner, has some wonderful

Make Scouting Viral!

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

If you have knowledge or skills you want to share with more than one person what happens next? If it's just three or four people we get them together and tell them. Easy, right? What if it's ten or twenty people?

Puzzelwood – Day 8

Jabbering All Day Long ·

Puzzelwood on Day 8 On a recent trip to puzzelwood, I managed to take a number of photos of fungi this was one of the strangest. I know that Puzzelwood is a strange place anyway. However this photo caught my eye. Probably because if you look at the top right, it appears that a creatures

Daily Travel View – Day 9

Jabbering All Day Long ·

View on my Travel So as I said before on day 4 I travel nearly every day from Cam and Dursley Station to Newport Station and back. It does make the phrase our green and pleasant land seem very true

Biking Dude (opens in a new tab)

Scoutmaster Musings ·

Besides doing some morning hikes in preparation for leading a week-long trek in the Wyoming wilderness in a couple weeks, I've been living vicariously through my oldest son's bicycle trip across the country. He has my Spot device to track his progress, and I created a website for him to blog about his travels.

OA Foremen teach volunteer staff proper trail-building techniques at Summit Bechtel Reserve (opens in a new tab)

Summit Blog ·

During Staff Training at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, OA Foremen taught volunteer staff proper trail-building techniques during a half-day service project building mountain bike trail for the New River Gorge National River. The Order of the Arrow Summit Experience (OASE) is a 8-day individual program for young Scouts in the OA between the ages of…

Skill of the week: Grow a beard (opens in a new tab)

Jeff's Scouting Blog ·

The Adult Leader Skill of the Week at summer camp two weeks ago was "grow a beard." Put away those razors and let it grow. The Skill of the Week also counted toward the Sage award for adult leaders, along with other things like "Nap on Safely" training which I also made sure to take…

Our Eagle Scout President (opens in a new tab)

Bobwhite's Blather ·

As a Scouter, you're most likely more familiar with American history and civics than most people. You also probably know which U.S. president: was never elected to national office? was the only one from the state of Michigan? was the only one to attend the University of Michigan? was the only president to grant a

Surprise, you're the Cubmaster! Here's a guide to getting started

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

The moment arrives slowly, then all at once. You've been involved with the Cub Scout pack for a few months. You have led a few field trips, brought snacks to a few meetings and even led a pack meeting or two all by yourself.

Little Fire Person

Jabbering All Day Long ·

A Little Fire Person – Day 11 At the weekend we went to the local village fate and the fire brigade were there with one of their trucks. They dressed up both my girls and little fire person's First Mia as a Fire Person Then Izzy Fire Person

There's a Pokémon GO PokéStop outside BSA headquarters - where else have you found one?

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

By now you've heard about Pokémon GO - the augmented-reality app for iPhone and Android that's encouraging people young and old to get outside and explore. Here are the basics: You download the app and head outside. Then you walk around an area looking for Pokémon - tiny virtual creatures with names like Bulbasaur, Pikachu and Rattata.

Why Pokémon Go Is Gaming Magic (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

Why Pokémon Go Is Gaming Magic Pokémon Go is the mobile phone hit that's sweeping the world. Here's why everyone's playing, along with some tips, too. Gotta Catch 'Em All - Outside! Summer's the perfect time of year for an augmented reality game that has you searching for Pokémon on the sidewalks and parks of your…

Sonoma Valley Teens Seek Adventure, Find Venturing (opens in a new tab)

Scouting Wire ·

The Venturers participating in a ropes course with their crew. (Photo credit: Dianne Reber Hart/ Sonoma Index-Tribune) When Abigail C., 17, of Sonoma Valley, Calif., saw all the things her brother was able to experience with his Boy Scout troop in the Redwood Empire Council , the Sonoma Valley teen decided it was time to seek…

6 Unusual Summer Olympic Events (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

6 Unusual Summer Olympic Events Here are six fun sports you might not know are in the Summer Olympics. HANDBALL This Olympic sport is a lot like soccer, only you use your hands instead of your feet. Handball pits two teams of seven players against each other in an effort to get the ball into…

Scoutmaster Podcast 323 – Scout Camp!

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

Scout camp is a privilege, an opportunity, and an obligation. We get just so many great good places in life, and one of my favorites is our Scout camp. The history, names, stories and traditions are specific to our camp, but they share common threads with every Scout camp.

Five myths about the 2017 National Jamboree, debunked

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

With the 2017 National Jamboree a year away, many Scouts, Venturers and Scouters think they've missed their chance to attend this quintessential quadrennial Scouting event. But there's good news: The door to the jamboree is still very much open. In fact, "jamboree registration has closed" is one of several myths floating around out there about…

Issue 495 – July 12, 2016 (opens in a new tab)

Ask Andy ·

________________________________________ Dear Andy, I think your advice to that granddad about uniform wearing (Issue 494 – July 5, 2016) was perfect. My 14-year-old Star Scout son didn't want to wear his uniform pants to a den meeting where he was the Den Chief.

Stitch – Minifigs part 2 – 100 days

Jabbering All Day Long ·

Stitch on Day 13 So yesterday I showed you one of my favourite Disney Minifigs well today it is the turn of my favourite Disney Character Stitch. Stitch is such a great character, and he get to live is a wonderful moviemovie Lilo and Stitch. He also gets to use some great quotes. "?Ohana means

Scouting Village Pieces (opens in a new tab)

A Scoutmaster's Blog ·

If you have been reading this blog for a few years you realize that I have been collecting the BSA Scouting Village pieces as they come out each year. After writing yesterday's article about the Christmas In July Sale, I thought I would check if the 2016 pieces were listed online.

Participant takes SBR experience to the classroom (opens in a new tab)

Summit Blog ·

Scoutmaster B.J. Jordan with Troop 510 from Bowling Green, KY was taking a graphic design class while his Troop were the first participants to go through the James C. Justice Scout Camp here at Summit Bechtel Reserve. It just so happened that his class project and the program shared a common thread - Skateboarding.

It's time to schedule an appointment with your doctor! (opens in a new tab)

Summit Blog ·

If you're one of the lucky people that have already registered for the 2017 National Jamboree - keep an eye on your inbox! Very shortly, every registered staff member will receive the following message: That's an invitation to set your password for the Annual Medical and Health Record (AHMR), which you'll need to complete in order…

Orchid – 100 Days

Jabbering All Day Long ·

Orchid on a window sill – Day 14 For some reason I have always been able to grow very nice Orchids , I think it comes from really ignoring them and then feeling guilty and over watering the Orchid for a few days.

Eagle Scout offers tips for being safe while playing Pokémon GO

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

If you're not careful, the effort to catch all the Pokémon for your Pokédex could leave you with a Poké-compound fracture. That's why the Eagle Scout who made headlines last year with a campaign against texting while driving is back with another important safety message.

Pokémon Cars in the Pinewood Derby (opens in a new tab)

Inside Boys' Life ·

Pokémon Cars in the Pinewood Derby Pokémon-themed pinewood derby cars are always popular. In pinewood derbies across the country, Cub Scouts are racing Pikachu, Turtwig and Charizard cars inspired by the Pokémon universe. Take a look at these awesome Pokémon pinewood derby cars built by Boys' Life readers, and then send us a photo of…

Present – 100days

Jabbering All Day Long ·

Present from my girls – day 15 So for Fathers day I received a wonderful present from my girls that now lives in pride of place in our downstairs toilet. It there things they love about daddy Your probably thinking I am being mean about this present saying it is in the downstairs toilet but

Present – 30days (opens in a new tab)

Jabbering All Day Long · archived copy

Present from my girls – day 15 So for Fathers day I received a wonderful present from my girls that now lives in pride of place in our downstairs toilet. It there things they love about daddy Your probably thinking I am being mean about this present saying it is in the downstairs toilet but

Unrolled! (opens in a new tab)

A Scoutmaster's Blog ·

Remember my last post? I went shopping at the local Scout Shop and bought several closeout items, some for actual use, and some for the collection. I left one item out of that article, the one that was rolled up in the tube.

So you've been bitten by a venomous snake? Here's what to do.

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

Don't apply a tourniquet. Don't suck out the venom. And never, ever attempt to capture or kill the snake. When traveling in areas where you might encounter a venomous snake, knowing what to do is just as important as knowing what not to do.

Railway – 100days

Jabbering All Day Long ·

Railway – Patchway Tunnel – Day 16 Working around the Railway does lend itself to some very stunning views This is the exit to the Patchway tunnels in Almondsbury.

Railway – 30days

Jabbering All Day Long ·

Railway – Patchway Tunnel – Day 16 Working around the Railway does lend itself to some very stunning views This is the exit to the Patchway tunnels in Almondsbury.

Coaley Peak – 100days

Jabbering All Day Long ·

Bugs on Coaley Peak – day 17 Yesterday as a family we when to Coaley peak. we were supporting Stroud Wildlife Survey and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust It was a fun family day out, and the view from Coaley peak was amazing despite the slightly grey weather.

Coaley Peak – 30days

Jabbering All Day Long ·

Bugs on Coaley Peak – day 17 Yesterday as a family we when to Coaley peak. we were supporting Stroud Wildlife Survey and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust It was a fun family day out, and the view from Coaley peak was amazing despite the slightly grey weather.

Join the Adventure Experience team today (opens in a new tab)

Summit Blog ·

We are still looking for great staff members in all program areas for the Jamboree. Especially in our Adventure Experience areas: wheeled sports, shooting sports, aquatic sports and aerial sports. One of the biggest misconceptions out there is regarding our aerial sports staff and the training required to be a part of that team.

Socks Rebellion – 100day

Jabbering All Day Long ·

Socks Left and Right Switch – Day 18 So for day 18 I am digging back into my Instagram for a photo I took a while back of my socks. I was being rebellious with my socks and wearing them on the wrong feet.

Socks Rebellion – 30day

Jabbering All Day Long ·

Socks Left and Right Switch – Day 18 So for day 18 I am digging back into my Instagram for a photo I took a while back of my socks. I was being rebellious with my socks and wearing them on the wrong feet.

2016 Pool Safely Pledge: Take a minute, save a life

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

At summer camps and water parks, in community centers and backyards, pool season is in full swing. That makes now an auspicious time to remind you about the ways you can keep your children, Scouts and Venturers safe when swimming.

Blue Bear – 100 Days

Jabbering All Day Long ·

BLUeTED the Blue Bear – Day 19 People who have read my blog before will know that I have a blue bear called blueted who has spent over 40 years traveling and adventuring with me. Blueted has event written some of his own material. Including Thoughts on Teeth Thoughts on Dust Bunnies Ponderings on Fingers.

Blue Bear – 30 Days (opens in a new tab)

Jabbering All Day Long · archived copy

BLUeTED the Blue Bear – Day 19 People who have read my blog before will know that I have a blue bear called blueted who has spent over 40 years traveling and adventuring with me. Blueted has event written some of his own material. Including Thoughts on Teeth Thoughts on Dust Bunnies Ponderings on Fingers.

Scouting's Future – Scoutmaster Podcast 324

Scoutmaster Clarke Green ·

In an often pessimistic world Scouting's future is inherently optimistic. Scouting is greater than a hedge against the perilous future, or a return to a storied past. We typically associate the future with technological advances. While technology will have a big role in shaping our future there are, perhaps, greater factors to consider.

Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden is an Eagle Scout

Bryan on Scouting / On Scouting ·

Brad Tilden runs his company like a real Eagle Scout. Makes sense, because the president and CEO of Alaska Airlines is a real Eagle Scout. In the viciously competitive airline industry, Tilden offers refreshing proof that nice guys can finish first.