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Brother Scout, I don’t think about the past very much. You probably don’t either. We hear about folks or have friends who seem to be obsessed with stuff that’s already happened, decisions already made. I know I certainly don’t want to be one of those who continually live in the past, so I generally think…
________________________________________ Hi Andy, I’m a kinda new (seven months) Scoutmaster. My problem is that, here we are, mid-summer, and I’m seeing our troop’s Life Scouts flounder and squander their time with no clear direction toward Eagle; so far, they’ve wasted a half-year of their Scouting lives doing little to nothing in the advancement arena.
The U.S. contingent logo for the 2019 World Scout Jamboree. The 2017 National Jamboree has ended, and the countdown to the 2019 World Scout Jamboree has begun. The 24th World Scout Jamboree will be held at the BSA’s new permanent Jamboree home: the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia.
It was the kind of once-in-a-lifetime trip you’ll only find in Scouting. Five Venturers from Crew 999 of Plano, Texas, spent a week in the U.S. Virgin Islands earlier this summer. The five young women, joined by three female adult leaders, sailed to beautiful beaches where they hiked, swam, snorkeled and toured historic sites.
Please join us in congratulating the new directors of the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing programs. These Scouters are ready to dive into their new roles, and we can’t wait to see all the great ways they’ll work to serve our youth.
These camp gadgets were featured in the Pioneering Village at the 2017 National Jamboree. All were fashioned out of Scout staves and precut lengths from broomsticks. Left Column, from the Top: Dish Washing Station, Camp Table, Simple Camp Table, Hand Wash Station, Single Fire Bucket Holder, Tripod Straddle Seat / Right Column from the Top: 15′…
Balloon games are super fun for Cub Scouts. They can be part of your planned den meeting, or you can use them any time the boys get restless!
For this October’s Jamboree, you don’t need to travel by plane, train or bus to join the fun. All you really need is a ham radio or a connection to the internet. This Oct. 20 to 22, Scouts from down the street, across the country and around the world will gather for the annual Jamboree-on-the-Air…
Story contributed by Jane Parikh of the Michigan Crossroads Council Peter “Madcat” Ruth could stay in hotels when touring, but the Grammy-award winning musician and Eagle Scout says he prefers to camp like he did when he was a Boy Scout.
Jamboree Weather Preparation July 2017 Cafe Press Items Keywords: Diesslin, knots scout cartoon, snow, weather preparation, summer, west virginia, jambo, july, cold, hot Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
Cowboy Boots at the Lost and Found August 2017 Cafe Press Items Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com
Photo by Evan Winter Scouting’s programs and values are best delivered outdoors. It’s been that way since the worldwide youth movement was just a twinkle in Baden-Powell’s eye. But things have changed since Baden-Powell invented the program that became the Boy Scouts of America.
College isn’t cheap, but for more than 150 worthy Eagle Scouts, it’s about to get a lot more affordable. The National Eagle Scout Association will award nearly $700,000 in scholarships to Eagle Scouts based on their academic performance, Scouting background, college plans and financial need.
Avoid your opponents and collect all the stars in Pee Wee's Mini Derby http://media.boyslife.org/onlinegames/miniderby/ Avoid your opponents and collect all the stars in this raucous racing game. Avoid your opponents and collect all the stars in this raucous racing game. View On WordPress
Use the support ropes as guylines! Pound in the stakes about 4 feet out from the center pole. A Better Clothes Drying Rack Just like holding a flagpole erect, there’s no need to attach the center pole to a pioneering stake or sink it into the ground.
A big part of Cub Scouts involves introducing boys to the fun and adventure of spending time outdoors. And if you’re going to spend time outdoors, you’re going to want the right gear. The Cub Scout Six Essentials, learned as part of the Wolf Rank, is a list of a half-dozen items every Cub Scout…
It has become the unofficial sport of Scouting. It’s ga-ga ball, a friendlier form of dodgeball played in an octagonal pit. And it has swept through the Scouting movement. Almost every Scout camp has its own ga-ga pit; you’ll see Scouts and Venturers gathered around these enclosures until the last bit of daylight is gone.
Back-to-school season is almost here for the kids, so why not use the time to brush up on your own knowledge? We’re bringing you an inside look at two fall conferences that are sure to sharpen your operational Scouting know-how.
If you were at the 2017 National Jamboree, you probably saw Chief Scout Executive Mike Surbaugh drive a motorcycle across the show stage, but did you see the fully customized Indian “Scout” motorcycle up close?! The Eagle Scout-themed design, customized by the Music City Nashville Indian dealership was a showstopper, so we’re giving you a…
A photo published in the April 15, 1914, issue of Scouting magazine shows Scouts roasting marshmallows over a campfire. The Girl Scouts are widely credited with inventing the concept of sandwiching a fire-roasted marshmallow between graham crackers and chocolate and calling it a s’more.
Use Legos to help Cub Scouts learn the Scout Oath and Law! Easily create puzzles using Legos and a labeler that are useful for several different games.
The National Outdoor Awards, which debuted in 2010 , are how the BSA recognizes Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Sea Scouts or Venturers who demonstrate knowledge and experience in high-level outdoor activities. Young people can earn badges in one or more of these six areas: Camping, Aquatics, Conservation, Hiking, Riding and Adventure.
On the list of unlikely global competitions for teenagers, this one sits on Row 1 of Column A: a Microsoft Excel world championship. But sure enough, it’s a thing . Each year, students from around the world compete to see who has the sweetest spreadsheet skills.
Every campfire program should have plenty of skits. They also make a great intermission in a meeting. Sometimes they teach a lesson, sometimes they don't, but they are always fun. Follow the link below to view the list of skits on this site.
Boy's Life magazine has some tips and tricks for beginning your coin collection. Tips include finding a dealer, learning about coin grading, storing and protecting your collection, getting the supplies you need, and starting your collection. Follow the link below to read the article.
This article from Metals Wired includes simple explanations for obverse (heads), reverse (tails), field, relief, rim, edge, legend, motto, date, and mint marks. The definitions are simple and with coins in hand, any Scout should be able to use them to identify the different parts. Follow the link below to read the complete article.
Hand Speak provides an American Sign Language Translator. Just type in a word and you will see a video of the sign for the word. Follow the link below to try it out.
This short video from Leap Frog shows the different parts of a map including the compass rose, legend, and scale. It describes how these parts are used to read the map.
A reader wrote to me a few weeks back asking for advice on how to select adults to go along on troop campouts, particularly those featuring above-the-norm, interesting activities. This reader felt that certain adults were given first crack repeatedly, that most of the adults were being bypassed when it came to offering the chance…
“It’s fun, hands-on and active.” “It’s simple and easy to implement.” “It’s age-appropriate, builds character and develops new skills.” That’s just a glimpse of what parents and youth across the country are saying about Lions, the BSA’s pilot program for kindergarten-age boys.
You might have run across language in Scouting referring to MOUs with other organizations in Scouting Newsroom or here on Scouting Wire – but what exactly is an MOU and what does it mean for the Boy Scouts of America? Keep reading to get those answers from Lee Shaw, the BSA’s Director of National Alliances and…
________________________________________ Hi Andy, Thanks to a great district committee and a marvelous nomination I hadn’t expected, I’ve recently received the District Award of Merit and, with it, my tenth “square knot.” But then, at our summer Roundtable, a long-time Scouting friend who scanned my uniform shirt pointed out to me that the BSA only allows a…
You might have heard there’s a total solar eclipse coming on Monday, Aug. 21. In the contiguous United States, the eclipse begins at about 9 a.m. PDT on the Oregon coast. It will then dash across the middle of the country before ending around 4 p.m.
Does your unit want to send a care package to our troops? The United Service Organizations (USO) has some tips to help you do this. This article will help you locate a USO center to get started and has some ideas for what to put in the perfect care package for our military men and…
If you’re headed outdoors to see the eclipse on Monday (Aug. 21), we want to experience it along with you. And so does everyone in the Scouting community! Whether you’re planning a weekend-long campout, headed to a Scout camp viewing party, or scoping out the eclipse in your backyard with buddies, we’re challenging you to…
Through their unique perspectives as youth, Yoni Butbul of Pathway to Adventure Council and Megan Ryan of Jayhawk Area Council will serve as representatives to Aviation Exploring, sharing what it means to help young people cultivate leadership and career skills as they soar toward their own professional aspirations.
Sydney R. is the first Venturer in the Greater Alabama Council to receive the Summit Award. (Photo: J.T. Dabbs) Story by J.T. Dabbs, Scout Executive of Greater Alabama Council: It was a real honor to present our first Summit award to Venturer Sydney R.
With back-to-school season in full swing, that means recruitment season is ramping up, and we are here to make sure councils are on the right track to provide the best experience possible for new families. On the Marketing and Membership Hub we provide a variety of resources to help councils, but it might be difficult…
National Geographic Fellow Paul Salopek’s 21,000-mile walk around the world is about slowing down to appreciate what’s around you. But if you want to join Salopek, don’t slow down just yet. Any Scouts or Venturers who want to walk alongside Salopek in Asia for a few days of his journey have until Sept.
Exploration is at the heart of Scouting, giving young people the chance to experience places they’ve never been before and to dive into new adventures. This month, many Scouts have unique opportunities to vicariously explore outer space and learn about STEM topics in a fun, interactive way.
TakeMeFishing.org has an interactive map which will help you to locate the places to fish closest to you. Just enter your zip code and then look at the map. If there is nothing available in your immediate area then zoom out to find the closest fishing spot.
Kix cereal has an article which gives step-by-step instructions to make a rainstick from an empty paper towel roll, aluminum foil, paper, plastic wrap, popcorn or dry beans, and tape. A rainstick is an instrument which sounds like rain when you turn it over. Follow the link below to see the instructions.
Guest post: This story of an Eagle Scout’s heroism at Philmont Scout Ranch was written by Jane Parikh, public relations manager for the Michigan Crossroads Council. Josiah Bakker isn’t a doctor, but the Eagle Scout from Suttons Bay, Mich., knew exactly what to do when a Philmont hiker showed up on the front porch of…
New Cub Scout families might not know a den leader from a den chief or a Wolf from a Webelos. And you know what? That’s perfectly fine. But you can help them get them acquainted with this life-changing program for boys by sending them some or all of the links below.
________________________________________ Hi Andy, Just read your last week’s comments about “how any knots?” and just had to share this with you… A couple of my own uniforms have 12 square knots, which drives at least one Scouter friend of mine nuts!
The easiest way to have a great year with your den is to start by making a Cub Scout adventures schedule. Use these 7 simple steps to create one.
When the Pinewood Derby race is done, the cars remain as priceless artifacts of history. Like all those irreplaceable items from childhood, these shouldn’t be relegated to a dusty drawer. Those cars belong in something like this handsome homemade Pinewood Derby display case.
Scouting families and prospective Scouting families have asked for it, and it’s here! The Boy Scouts of America is offering online registration to meet the demand for completing the entire registration process for youth members and adult leaders in councils across the organization.
Rube Goldberg was a cartoonist and engineer who drew elaborate contraptions which accomplished simple tasks. This article from TinkerLab gives step-by-step details for creating a unique Rube Goldberg machine. Follow the link below to read the article.
Congratulations to Jim Battaglia, who will serve as Scout executive of Stonewall Jackson Area Council in Waynesboro, Virginia, effective September 16, 2017. Jim began his Scouting career as a district executive at Hiawatha Council in Syracuse, New York. He moved on to become the senior district executive and later program director with Hiawatha Seaway Council…
Curious, adventure-seeking Scouts can earn requirements toward a variety of merit badges by participating in the National Geographic Kids Explorers Club! The club offers Scouts and Scout leaders access to fun resources that’ll inspire Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts to explore the world around them and uncover new interests they never knew they had.
Scouting U is offering a number of online and in-person courses to help prepare employees and volunteers to deliver a memorable, effective Scouting program. Succession Planning: The BSA is dependent on our many volunteers to provide the best possible experience for Scouts.
Join us in the beautiful Florida Keys to learn with experienced and informed Scouters with ample time to enjoy the climate and beauty of the Keys at the Florida Sea Base! The courses being offered include : January 7-13: The Council/District Training Committee The Conference on Education for Advancement Administrators (CEAA) Strengthening Your Leadership Team January…
The home was built in 1860 and sits on 7.78 acres of perfectly manicured grass. It includes eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms and a full-size tennis court. But what makes this piece of real estate, now on the market for $699,900 , so special isn’t its new roof and windows, or its 12-foot ceilings and two elegant…
Norman Mineta was a proud 10-year-old Cub Scout in 1942 when the U.S. government began imprisoning Japanese-Americans. Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor months earlier, and Mineta and his family became six of the 120,000 people of Japanese descent interned by President Franklin D.
Share your Cub Scouting pride with friends, family members and that classmate from high school you’ve been meaning to get back in touch with. With these new Facebook profile picture frames, you can show that you’re a proud Cub Scout mom or Cub Scout dad or part of a proud Cub Scout family.
If your Cub Scout pack is typical, you’ll not only be recruiting Scouts this fall – you’ll also be recruiting adult leaders. Den Leaders are the ones that packs usually need the most, and they’re the most important because they deliver the program.
Don’t let a cashless customer walk away that easily. By adding a cheap credit card reader, your pack, troop or crew will be equipped to accept plastic for popcorn sales and other in-person, show-and-sell-type fundraisers. With a few taps, the money can be deposited into your unit’s bank account in a day or two.
Bass Pro Shops is hosting Boy Scouts of America Month at all U.S. locations this September. Throughout the month, Bass Pro Shops will promote Boy Scouts of America, offer merit badge classes, and provide opportunities to raise funds for Scouting projects.
________________________________________ Dear Andy, We have an Eagle Scout candidate who transferred from our troop to another when he was a Star Scout. While at that other troop he received his Life rank. Following this, he transferred back to our troop and has since completed all requirements for Eagle.
At Bashore Scout Reservation in Pennsylvania, the campaign to keep Scouts physically strong starts at the dining hall. Starting last year, Scouts who attend summer camp at Bashore are served meals with more whole grains, leaner proteins, and increased fruits and veggies.
Trail mix is a tasty treat for your outdoor activities. And it's one of the Cub Scout Six Essentials. Use one of these 10 great recipes to make your own!
When disaster strikes, the Scouting community rallies to help those in need. This was true when an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan in 2011 , Hurricane Sandy struck the Northeast in 2012, and tornadoes tore through Texas and Oklahoma in 2013 .
It’s time for Owls to unite as a parliament, Antelopes to join the herd and Bears to form a sloth. (Yes, I looked it up, and that’s what a group of bears is called. I couldn’t believe it either.) It’s time to remember, reconnect and rekindle.
James (left) and Kaleb will serve as 2017-2018 NRA/BSA Brownell Youth Ambassadors. At Scout camps across the country each year, hundreds of thousands of Scouts and Venturers participate in shooting sports activities — archery, rifle shooting, shotgun shooting, pistol shooting and more.
