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As February begins, so does Black History Month, and, to celebrate, four members of the African American community, who also happen to be members of the Scouting community, share their thoughts about how the legacy of Scouting and African American heritage go hand-in-hand and what this special month means in the Scouting movement.
A seven-day pass to Yellowstone National Park is normally $35 per vehicle. But on five days each year, that fee drops to $0. (Photo by W. Garth Dowling) There’s only one thing better than taking your Cub Scout pack, Scouts BSA troop, Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship to a national park.
Congratulations to Andrew Zahn, who will serve as Scout executive of the Dan Beard Council in Cincinnati, Ohio, effective February 1, 2020. Andy began his Scouting career as a district executive at the Hawkeye Area Council in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
From the community-shaking feats of Eagle Scouts to the creativity of Cub Scouts, any parent or volunteer who’s seen Scouts in action will tell you: Never underestimate them. The same is true when you marvel at the designs and speed of the Pinewood Derby creations cropping up all over your social media feeds this time…
________________________________________ Hi Andy, My son has started his first year in Scouts. So far, four troop meetings have gone by and no requirements have been done yet for being a Scout in the troop. When he asked about doing merit badges—he had picked three pretty easy ones to start himself off with—he was told not to…
Note: This is the 31st in an occasional series where I share Eagle Scout project before-and-after photos. See the complete collection here and submit your own here . To fully understand the impact Eagle Scout projects have on communities, you need to see to believe.
With Scout Sunday, Sabbath and Jumuah slated for this weekend, it might be an ideal time to examine the 12th point of the Scout Law with your Scouts. Honoring God, being faithful in one’s religious duties and respecting others’ beliefs encapsulates what it means to be “reverent.”
Support from the worldwide community of Scouting, including members of the BSA, has been an “enormous comfort” to members of Scouts Australia as the country grapples with the bushfire crisis. “At times like this, Scouts demonstrate that we can come together to help each other no matter where we are from,” says Phil Harrison, Chief…
The Boy Scouts of America has teamed-up with 12 of the nation’s leading youth programs to launch Be a Champion, #InvestInKids , a campaign designed to raise awareness and increase support for youth programs across the country. Every day, these programs reach millions of kids across the U.S.
February 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Boys Life "Slide of the Month" September 1972 page 50 Original design: Unkown Cable cars are a fascinating mode of transportation and, even though I never have ridden one, it must be exciting for first-time riders.
Yesterday I gave the sermon in my church in observation of Scout Sunday. Here are some excerpts from my message. Here in the US, Scout Sunday is observed on the Sunday closest to the February 8 anniversary of the founding of Scouting in America.
Please join us as we congratulate Melissa Stricherz, who will serve as Scout executive of the Central Minnesota Council in Sartell, Minnesota, effective March 1, 2020. Melissa began her Scouting career in 1999 as an endowment director for the Mid-America Council in Omaha, Nebraska.
In 2019, hundreds of Scouts, Venturers and adult volunteers spent their spring break at Philmont to help the high-adventure base recover from the fires of 2018 . They called it PhilBreak. This year’s sequel promises to be even better. For the 2020 version, PhilBreak has broadened its eligibility requirements, making this alternative spring break experience open…
________________________________________ I’ve been thrown a lot of curve-balls in the past 19 years, and this one sits pretty near the top… But it’s sure a winner when it comes to the reply, which I usually omit but I’m making an exception today.
Mr. Beast (wearing hat) with members of the South Florida Council. When a major YouTube personality visits a beloved Scout camp, the result is comedy gold — and millions of people introduced to the adventure of Scouting. Mr. Beast, a YouTuber whose philanthropic videos and epic stunts (riding a Ferris wheel 1,000 times in a row…
Eagle Scout Jason Lee is on a journey — a journey he did not choose. For years, his assistant Scoutmaster abused him. His abuser is now behind bars, serving a 30-year sentence, but that offers little justice for the broken trust, the inflicted grief and the lost innocence.
Thomas and Henry Leskiw look at old reports written by their grandfather, Frank J. Panza, with Investigator Donald Ginnane. At right, Thomas sits in a squad car. While working on the Paws for Action Adventure, Bear Scout Thomas Leskiw could’ve visited a local police station, but his mother, Barbara, had another idea.
A quick guide to show families how to geocache! It's a great activity for kids. Geocaching will get Cub Scouts outdoors, which is where we want them to be.
Daniel (right) and Joshua Kevil This is Unsung Heroes , a Bryan on Scouting blog series celebrating under-reported acts of Scouting heroism. These are stories that don’t make national headlines — but should. That’s doubly true in this world that can always use more good news.
February 2020 Time to make: 3 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown One of the places I'm looking forward to exploring either before we set out or after we are off-trail. Carved from southern yellow pine, the area between the pads and nails of the paws were notched…
Please join us as we congratulate Gary Decker, who will serve as Scout executive of the Greater Niagara Frontier Council in Buffalo, New York, effective March 1, 2020. Gary began his Scouting career as a district executive at the Baden-Powell Council in Binghamton, New York.
I have just three words: Camping. Is. Back. After staking out a spot in seventh or eighth place in popularity from 2014 to 2018, the Eagle-required Camping merit badge jumped to third place in the 2019 rankings, released this month.
If you’re reading this, you have probably experienced the positive impact of Scouting. And I’m guessing that – like me – you want Scouting to be around to serve kids in our communities for many years to come. I’m hoping you also agree that it’s important that the BSA supports victims of past abuse in Scouting.
________________________________________ Hi Andy, I saw that stuff last week about that district that was insisting on holding their own boards of review for Star and Life ranks. Boy, they must have a whole lot of volunteers sitting around twiddling their thumbs for them to have enough time for such a non-essential (and completely “illegal”) job!
Shannon Stokes holds an official congratulatory proclamation from her town and the Summit Award medal. Shannon Stokes completed all the requirements for the Summit Award — Venturing’s highest honor. And then the U.S. Army came calling. Shannon’s Venturing crew — Crew 32 of Hope Mills, N.C.
February 2020 Time to make: 4 hours Finishing: 2 hour Original design: Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown It occurs to me that I now have more Philmont neckerchief slides than I have weeks to go before I leave. (And, I have more designs I'm working on.)
Joseph Merton (center) with Scouts Stephen Lombard (left) and Stephen's brother Kevin. Joseph Merton simply had a knack for leadership. As a Scout on the South Side of Chicago, his talent for rallying the guys in his troop came in handy at meetings and campouts.
February 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 2 hour Original design: Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown It never occurred to me that Philmont has a winter program ! Here is a great video on the program. Carved from southern yellow pine, this another adaptation from a Philmont patch having many levels.
By now, you’ve heard the news, along with the rest of the country, about the national Boy Scouts of America filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. “The Boy Scouts are bankrupt!” made its way across the country, along with allegations and suspicions and lots of finger-pointing.
Please join us in congratulating Matt Hart, who will serve as Scout executive of the Northwest Georgia Council in Rome, Georgia, effective March 15, 2020. Matt began his Scouting career in 1994 as a district executive at the Northwest Georgia Council after completing the BSA National Internship Program.
Soldier Field in Chicago could fit the Eagle Scout Class of 2019 — but just barely. More young people became Eagle Scouts in 2019 than in any other year in the 108-year history of the prestigious award. Exactly 61,353 young men earned the Eagle Scout award last year, beating the previous record of 58,659 set in…
________________________________________ Hi Andy, I’m the Chartered Organization Representative for a Scouts BSA troop. Unlike the prior person in this slot, who was an “in title only” sort of guy, I’ve been pretty involved with the committee chair and Scoutmaster. Currently, the three of us are updating the troop’s “discipline policy” documents.
The Ninja Monkeys. The Flaming Eagles. The Deviled Eggs. Scouts can concoct some pretty awesome patrol and den names — and make really cool flags and emblems to proudly display their creations. You can see some here . Sometimes, adult leaders form patrols, too.
Article submitted by Nelson Lin Carter, retired Scout Executive of the Chicago Area Council and condensed from: “The Great American Success Story” George Gallup, Jr., Alec M. Gallup, William Proctor When it comes to having successes in recruiting more families into Scouting programs or even in any of the other functions of Scouting (finance or…
Article submitted by Wendy Shaw, National Director of Membership Growth. The 2020 Growth Conference was held February 6 & 7 th at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, TX. This year’s attendees all had achieved year-end membership growth by November 30, 2019.
Unit Serving Executives can now review rosters and advancement information for any unit in your council. The new Internet Advancement web platform is specially designed for both council employees and unit leaders to track and record unit advancements. The platform was built to optimize unit management and includes features that enable council employees or leaders…
February 2020 Time to make: 3 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown It is my understanding, the 50th anniversary Philmont training center logo looked like this. I would post a link to the patch but as the patches online are all for sale (ebay, etsy...), there is a…
The Glade Creek Grist Mill in West Virginia. Photo by Gary Hartley Amateur photographers know a whole lot happens between point and shoot. Each shooting situation presents a challenge, and the solution involves the right mix of light, color, composition, distance and a captivating subject.
Congratulations to Rick Chapman, who will serve as Scout executive of the Alabama-Florida Council in Dothan, Alabama, effective March 1, 2020. Rick began his Scouting career as a district executive at the Gulf Coast Council in Pensacola, Florida. While there, he moved up the ranks serving as a senior district executive, district director, field director…
Please join us in congratulating Charles Flowers, who will serve as Scout executive of the Occoneechee Council in Raleigh, North Carolina, effective March 1, 2020. Charles began his Scouting career as a district executive at the Robert E. Lee Council in Richmond, Virginia.
Robots are everywhere. Car manufacturers use them on the assembly line. Doctors use them to perform intricate surgeries. You might have one to vacuum your house. Scouts with Troop 125 of Dallas, Texas, recently saw how robotics help Dr. Elizabeth Coronado, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Medical City Plano hospital.
Update, Feb. 29 : Meet the delegates in the video below! Next week’s big news out of Washington likely won’t be covered on cable news. But for those of us who care about the BSA, this will be the top story.
Click above for a larger view, to checkout the construction. This design was adapted from what John Sweet refers to as The Skylite in his booklet Pioneering in Town and Country . The main difference is the improvised framework for the two narrow quadpods is neither anchored or reliant on weighted supports, but instead is wide…
