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You think you're making all the right moves for your Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts or Venturers, but do you really know? With the BSA's Journey to Excellence scorecards in hand, you can answer that question with a satisfying yes. Journey to Excellence, often shortened to JTE, is a self-evaluation tool that lets unit leaders see…
Snowscout Learns About Firebuilding December 2016 Cafe Press Items Keywords: Diesslin, knots scout cartoon, firebuilding, snowman, melting, camping Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
Anyone who has visited the Summit Bechtel Reserve knows that the weather can change very quickly. West Virginia, and the Summit's, unique topography creates beautiful vistas - and rapidly evolving forecasts! Since the 2013 National Scout Jamboree, leadership at the Summit has been working to better predict, and prepare for, inclement weather.
The National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act just became law! So? Well, it directs the USDA to significantly increase the role of volunteers in trail maintenance projects. That means more opportunities for scouts to step up and provide assistance to the Forest Service to improve trail access to national public lands.
Write a Funny Caption For This Photo What's going on in this picture? What is that iguana doing and what is it thinking? If you can think of a funny caption for this photo, just post it in the comment form at the bottom of this page.
You can look at a good Scout Troop like a horse and cart. The horse has to be strong and steadfast. The horse has to be trained so as not to buck and run when it's not supposed to. The horse works as a part of a team and each pulls it's share of the…
Mason Schlafer, a 10-year-old Cub Scout in Pack 4055 of the Michigan Crossroads Council, sold a lot of popcorn this year. So much, the council and its popcorn supplier say, that Mason broke a Central Region record. To date, the Cub Scout has sold more than $20,800 worth of the stuff, and the motivation for…
National Scout shops are providing the Scouting community an opportunity to help local Scouts who may be in need of uniforms, Scouting equipment, and other program needs. Similar to an Angel Tree, the Ethan Giving Tree allows customers, Scouts and Scouters to select a Scout in need using cards on a Christmas tree from any…
The BSA announced this week that some Cub Scout adventure requirements that previously were mandatory will become optional, in a move intended to give Cub Scouters more control over their den program. On Facebook, on this blog and elsewhere, Cub Scouters have shared questions about how these modifications will affect their pack and den.
Yesterday was our annual Scouting for Food drive. Scouts from all over our Council hit the neighborhoods with enthusiasm and the knowledge that for two hours of service they will help feed many people in our community that are in need.
If you follow Scouting Magazine on social media, you might have heard about some updates to the Cub Scout Adventure program that were announced last week. (Look in the comments for links to the updates that you can print and paste into the Scouts' books. Thanks Tom!) The BSA Advancement Team found that, after the
Oh, Christmas tree. How lovely are your branches. And how lovely, too, is your ability to raise money to fund Scouting adventures. While that last sentence lacks the lyricism of the original carol, its words are no less accurate. Many Boy Scout troops and Venturing crews find a fundraising fortune in selling Christmas trees.
Crazy and Unusual Superstitions of Pro Athletes A lot of people are superstitious - don't walk under that ladder or break a mirror! - but few groups are as superstitious as athletes. Many athletes use magical thinking to help them perform well or pull out of a slump.
Story contributed by John Hovanesian, M.D. who is chairman of the Board of Directors for the Orange County Council . The number one challenge faced by leaders of youth-serving organizations is having too little help from other parents. But why do some organizations seem to have no shortage of volunteers, and meetings and campouts always run…
I bought my first digital camera in 2004 for a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch. It was great! I was able to take many more pictures than I would have with a film camera. It was very easy to share the windows once we returned home.
It is our responsibility to assure there's a shared expectation… … and our Scouts understand them. Scout aged children are not going to interpret gentle reminders, they'd prefer to have to have things clearly spelled out. They are literalists, they don't take hints.
Some people, like these 14 Eagle Scouts , play, coach, manage or perform their way to the Super Bowl. Others, like one lucky kid each year, take a much different route. Scouts and Scouters, let's give a cheer to Ryan Stoltz, a Second Class Scout from Troop 3295 of Minnesota's Northern Star Council.
The Boy Scouts of America announced that it will move the National Scouting Museum to Philmont Scout Ranch in northeastern New Mexico from its current home in Irving, Texas. The relocation will take place over the next 18 months, with the museum scheduled to open at Philmont in 2018.
Need Cub Scout gathering activity and den game ideas? The Genius of Play website has them and also explains why play is important to a child's development.
Each year, troops and crews from around the country participate in the age-old Scouting tradition of running Christmas tree lots. Not only do these Scouts and Venturers get to work on their business skills—they also get to experience the excitement of holiday fundraising.
________________________________________ Hi Andy, About David Ball's question (your November 11th Issue) about adult support on outings, let me share something our Senior Patrol Leader and his ASPL did a couple of years ago… They were having issues with outing preparations in general, so they asked our Scoutmaster if they could call a parents' meeting.
Do a Good Turn Daily.. That is the Slogan of Scouting. It is a challenge to each of us to look for some way to be of service. The slogan asks us to seek opportunities every day to do something… anything that will ultimately make a difference.
No pressure, but if your troop meetings aren't exciting and extraordinary, you risk losing Scouts to other activities. In other words, one bad meeting could be a young man's last. So how do you add "wow" to your weekly troop meetings?
For many months leading up to Dec. 7, 1941, the Boy Scouts of the Honolulu Council had been training. They were sharpening their skills in first aid and emergency communications. Like Scouts today, they didn't know when - or if - they might put these skills to use.
Are you ready to thrive in subzero temperatures and trek across the winter wilderness? What about paddle across acres of meandering rivers while reveling in the natural beauty of the Great North Woods? If you said yes, you’re in luck because Northern Tier is offering a lottery that will give you a chance to visit…
From the start, the Eagle Scout court of honor for Brian O'Rourke III in Cambridge, Mass., was destined to be special. Brian's grandfather, Glen McLaughlin, traveled all the way from California to be there. There was a slideshow that had many in tears.
The Cub Scout program has been modified effective December 2016. The list of changes is available here. Download or print your copy.
How to Build a Snow Cave A T-shaped snow cave is a quick and efficient way to protect yourself from even the worst winter storm. Locate a large snow drift or steep, stable snow slope, and start digging with the instructions below.
John H. Glenn Jr., the first American to orbit the Earth, a Silver Buffalo Award recipient and the father of an Eagle Scout, has died. He was 95. Glenn was never a Scout, but his son, David, is an Eagle Scout.
Most pioneering projects (but by no means all ) use rope or cordage, so understanding how rope is made is a useful part of pioneering. There are some simple ways of making rope, but these Lego projects by Nico71 take ropemaking to another level.
Sometimes, it's like night and day. You look at a spot of land before an Eagle Scout candidate has completed his project there. Then you look at that exact same spot after the project is done. The transformation is so stunning that you're tempted to ask whether you have entered a parallel universe.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of WASPcam? . All opinions are 100% mine. Who takes pictures and records your outings? I have hundreds of photos that we've used in slide shows, web posts, ceremonies, and recruiting.
Pioneering Information Troop Meetings Main Event John Thurman, Gilwell Camp Chief for twenty-five years, said, ”There is only one activity in my experience where it pays to start at the top, and that is swimming. It is true that pioneering has often been directly or unexpectedly linked with swimming, but if any patrol, troop, or…
How to Jump Start a Dead Battery You walk out to the parking lot after school and realize you left your car's headlights on all day. Now the battery is dead. Luckily, a nearby friend is willing to use his car to jump-start your car.
A reader writes: Our Scoutmaster wants to make changes to the troop uniform policy, but when I said I should have been in on the discussion he told me that uniforming wasn't something that was at the committee chair level, since it deals directly with the Scouts. I said that changes of that nature need
Some benefits of Scouting show up right away. Others take months, years or even decades to be appreciated fully. Into that latter category goes a new study from Great Britain that suggests adults who were in Scouting as young people have better mental health.
Cub Scouts are Helpful, the third point of the Scout Law, through community service projects. Help even more people through the Joy Maker Challenge.
The BSA recently announced that some Cub Scout adventure requirements that previously were mandatory will become optional, in a move intended to give Cub Scouters more control over their den program. We’ve seen your questions regarding how these modifications will affect your pack and den and shared an extensive Q&A on Bryan on Scouting.
One Good Deed After Another It started when Parker Schmidt was a Webelos Scout from Pack 95 in Georgetown, Delaware, and it hasn't slowed down since. First, Parker was recognized for saving a cat that was trapped in a burning fireplace .
Rex Tillerson, a Distinguished Eagle Scout, Silver Buffalo Award recipient and past national president of the Boy Scouts of America, has been nominated to be the nation's next secretary of state. Tillerson, upon Senate confirmation, would be the latest Distinguished Eagle Scout to reach a cabinet position.
Do you have quarterly Scout parent meetings? I'll answer an email question about parent's meetings in this podcast. On our quarterly Scout parent meetings that include a court of honor. Everyone arrives at about 7PM, the Scouts go outside to play a game and the committee chair and whomever needs to (depending on what is…
The race cars at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, are some of the fastest ever. The Pinewood Derby cars are not too shabby, either. The Mecklenburg County Council held its championship Pinewood Derby race right smack in the middle of the Hall of Fame.
________________________________________ Several regular readers wrote to me about the pack finances problem Kevin, in the Longhorn Council, was having. Check these out (they may help you, too!)… Hi Andy, This is for Kevin. Start with a pack budget; it can prevent the type of problem you're having.
Looking for the perfect gift for your young scientist, technologist, engineer, or mathematician? Thanks to a recent STEM Scouts blog post , we’ve got a plethora of gift suggestions for youth of all ages who have a penchant for STEM excitement!
Getting Root Beer at a Scout Unit is pretty easy. Go to a Unit during their Court of Honor and talk to people. Soon, someone will ask if you would like one. It is that easy. Yes it was. Ok …
The Boy Scouts of America has selected two young people to serve as the 2016-2017 NRA/BSA Brownell Youth Ambassadors. In this role, the pair will represent all Boy Scouts and Venturers at a variety of shooting sports industry events. They'll work in support of the BSA and the National Rifle Association to promote responsible shooting…
Please join us in congratulating Jason Pierce as Scout executive of the Lincoln Heritage Council in Louisville, KY, effective January 15, 2017. Jason began his Scouting career as a district executive at the Atlanta Area Council. He moved on to become the director of development and later the director of field service with the Atlanta…
A season of giving, thanks and cheer, the holidays are a special time to look back on all of the wonderful Scouting memories of 2016. 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…
When the Voice of the Scout (VOS) survey was originally developed, the goal was to hear from members and volunteers about the quality of their Scouting experiences and their satisfaction with the support and resources of the BSA. Over the course of conducting this study, we realized the extent to which scores were affected by…
We teach our Scouts to focus on the little things and the big things will take care of themselves. I have lived by that train of thought since I became a Sergeant in the Army. Little things always add up.
The instant you join Scouting, your family grows. Your circle of support widens. When John Halterman died unexpectedly in October 2015, the Cub Scouts and parents of San Diego Pack 624 showed the truth of that statement. It was March 2015 at the Halterman house when John brought a dusty old box to his 7-year-old…
The BSA’s 2017 Growth Plan is here, and it’s updated to reflect the growing needs of our councils. Serving as the organization’s roadmap for successful recruitment, the 2017 Growth Plan is designed to help you reach even more young people with the life-changing programs of Scouting.
I am well overdue for writing up my trailer build, so here it goes! After trading in my Dodge Dakota pickup for a Jeep at the end of 2013, it quickly became obvious that I needed to figure out a way to haul stuff for family and scout camping trips.
Looking for a way to make the Arrow of Light adventure, Building a Better World, more fun? Look no further than these Jeopardy-type games!
Test your limits by climbing straight up a wall of ice. By Aaron Derr Photographs by Christopher Beauchamp Ice climbing is just like rock climbing. Except instead of rock, you're climbing a wall of ice, it's freezing outside, you're wearing multiple layers of clothing, you've got big, heavy boots on your feet - and did we…
Whether you know the World Conservation Award as the "panda patch" or as the award that encourages Scouts and Venturers to think globally and act locally to improve and conserve our environment, there's something you need to know. The BSA National Conservation and Environment Task Force has announced new requirements for the Cub Scout, Boy…
The Boy Scouts of America's National Key 3 has a special holiday message for you and the members of your Scouting family. The video message opens with a montage of Scouts and Venturers saying, in their own words, what they learned in Scouting in 2016.
Late December brings a spate of year-in-review lists. While overused, they are a handy way to recap the year that was. One way to look back on 2016 in Scouting is by seeing which Bryan on Scouting blog posts were most popular.
Keep Smellables Out of Your Tent Whether you're camping in bear country or in an area with smaller curious critters (even if they might be harmless), take special care of your smellables. A smellable is any object that might attract an animal with a strong sense of smell.
Please join us in congratulating Jeffrey Hunt as Scout executive of the Greater Los Angeles Area Council in Los Angeles, CA, effective February 1, 2017. Jeff began his Scouting career as a district executive at the South Florida Council in Miami Lakes, FL, in 1985.
Set sail on one of the most awe-inspiring experiences offered in Scouting by taking advantage of entering the Sea Base’s lottery for 2018! At the National High-Adventure Sea Base, participants have the opportunity to explore the largest wilderness on earth – the ocean.
I had a talk with a group of Scouts a week or so ago. I asked them what they thought of Scouting and how their classmates viewed it. My point was to illustrate that the "pressure" that they feel for being Scouts is no different than it was when I was I kid and a…
2015 In 2013, the Boy Scouts of Troop 485 in Franklin Square, N.Y., were getting ready for their troop's annual gift exchange when something magical happened. In prior years, it went like this: Scouts brought a gift to the designated troop meeting.
How the Football Has Changed Since 1869 The first football game was played in 1869. Here's how the ball has changed since then. 1869 The first footballs were made from inflated pig bladders, each one an unpredictable size and shape.
For more than a century, the Boy Scouts of America has provided a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of citizenship, and develops personal fitness. It has helped build the future leaders of this country, and it has done so, in part, thanks to the generosity of those who…
Tom Eaton, whose whimsical and wacky illustrations over three decades enlivened iconic Boys' Life characters like Pedro the Mailburro and Dink and Duff, died Dec. 11, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. He was 76. Anyone who has picked up a copy of Boys' Life magazine from 1984 through 2015 has seen Eaton's work.
Are you still searching for the perfect gift this holiday season? Well, look no further, because there is still time to give a Boy Scout, Venturer, or Explorer the gift of a lifetime with a trip to the 2017 National Jamboree!
Some of the best Scouting happens in National Park Service sites - including national parks, national monuments, national battlefields and more. So it's only, well, natural for Scouting and the National Park Service to become close friends. That makes it nice but unsurprising to learn that the Boy Scouts of America and the National Park Service…
Ready to take your Exploring know-how to the next level? Exploring sales tools are here to help! Keep reading for a breakdown on these helpful materials, then get ready to watch your council’s Exploring membership grow. Head to the Exploring section of the BSA Brand Center or contact your local Scout executive to check out…
You may have noticed recently that you were not able to access this blog or the troop's website. The site was offline for a few days to transfer everything to a new server since the old server was having issues.
2016 was an incredible year of growth for Scouting Wire. Officially named the blog of the Scouting Movement, Scouting Wire was designed to be every volunteer and employee’s hub for Boy Scouts of America program updates, leadership news, training, recruiting, fundraising, Scouting success stories and more.
Inside the January 2017 issue Here's what you'll find inside the January 2017 issue of Boys' Life magazine. Remember, many articles are only available to subscribers and are not available online. Please visit Boyslife.org/subscribe to subscribe to the print or digital editions of Boys' Life magazine.
________________________________________ (I first wrote this story-it's a true one-in 2007. Today, nine years later, we have, in addition to long-time readers, a whole new generation of Scouters, Scouts, and parents reading. So it occurred to me that perhaps it's time for our newest readers to see this particular tale…which I offer with very best wishes to…
Katie Hancock, a Venturer from Lubbock, Texas, was the lone Boy Scouts of America honoree to receive the 2016 Messengers of Peace Hero Award. The award, presented Nov. 23, 2016, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, recognizes Scouts, volunteers and professionals for their work toward creating a better world.
The holiday season is known as the season of giving – giving to friends, family and loved ones. But it is also a season for giving back to the community. It is no surprise that our Scouts are celebrating the spirit of the season by fundraising and volunteering in service to others – after all, our Scout…
Download a Pinewood Derby Car Design Template Most Cub Scouts find it easiest to sketch their Pinewood Derby car designs before they start cutting into the block of wood. It's much easier to erase a pencil drawing than it is to fix the wrong cut.
I have been more active with Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68 during the last few months as our new scoutmaster gets comfortable with his new position. I have invited the Patrol Leaders Council to once again hold their meetings at my house which has given me the opportunity to assist in their training and answer…
Ever wanted to be a Charity Trustee - I found this article on the Third Sector Website written by the voice of their youth trustees
There's a guy spending a decade walking around the world. Just let that sink in for a sec. Photo by Mark Schulte His route traces the pathways of the first humans and spans 21,000 miles. In a refreshing departure from the norm, he isn't looking to break some sort of speed record.
I have noticed that bloggers like Seth Godin tend not to write mammoth 10-page posts they do simple 10 line little asides.
Already tired of winter vacation? Bored with your current job? The week after Christmas is a great time to think about new opportunities. As a scout with lots of outdoors skills, leadership qualities, and interpersonal communications, there are lots of openings for you to work in exciting, adventurous settings.
We all have an image of the "perfect" Christmas. It is one of those images that we hold deep in our hearts. An image of a Christmas from our childhood, a vision of the ideal Christmas from It's a Wonderful Life.
When you eat Christmas ornaments Sam: What do you get when you eat Christmas ornaments? Devin: Not sure. Sam: Tinsel-itis! View On WordPress
Get trained, suit up and go swimming with one of the Earth's coolest creatures. By Aaron Derr The whale shark is one of the coolest animals in the world. It is the largest fish in the ocean - the largest known whale shark was more than 40 feet long - yet it very rarely hurts people.
________________________________________ Good Morning Andy, The charter- and JTE-year run from January 1st through December 31st but the actual, operational Scouting runs essentially from September through May (with a smattering of events plus summer camp during the summer). As the Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner for my district, I need contact information (e.g., email addresses) so I can…
I don't generally agree with the common statement regarding Scouting to "let them fail". I think what is meant when "fail" is used is actually "learn". Burning pancakes is not failing - it is learning the point at which they're ready to flip.
Here is our year-end camp summary for 2016: 1) Jan – 2nd annual Winter backpacking on snowshoes in Little Cottonwood Canyon 2) Feb – Last minute change to Crystal Hot Springs* 3) Apr – 2nd annual April outing to White Rock near Dugway** 4) May – 6th annual May backpack outing to Rudy's Flat 5) Jun – Exploring Coyote Gulch…
Boy Scouts love a good story told around the campfire. I do not mind telling one, or reading one, if the opportunity presents itself. Of course, the Boy Scouts love the scarier tales as they sit in the darkness with only the reddish light of the campfire embers.
