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March 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Boys Life "Slide of the Month" Sep. 1977, page 60 Original design: Glenn Wagner Leather design: Bill Macfarlane So when I was building a knife ki t I got as a Christmas present, I wanted to design a special knife sheath with tooled leather but I have never…
Report to the Nation delegates snapped some selfies from the roof terrace at 101 Constitution, capturing a spectacular view of the U.S. Capitol. They soon learned they have the mining industry to thank for those photos — and for practically everything they use.
Your Scout is looking forward to new experiences and lots of fun at summer camp — one of which can be driving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Every year, Polaris Industries donates 150 ATVs to select BSA council camps. It’s part of a 10-year partnership with the BSA, started in 2014, that provides top-of-the-line off-road vehicles, safety…
Carrying the processional cross, Eagle Scout Zachary Bryant walked down the center aisle at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel, followed by Star Scout Isabella Tunney, Bible in hand. The Report to the Nation delegates helped with a Sunday service at the chapel, including the processions, collecting the offering and guiding congregants during Holy Communion.
________________________________________ Several readers had good points to make about some of the issues that have recently come up. Here they are, and they’re worth a read! Hi Andy, Great answer on that troop discipline issue! I’d add that there’s no such thing as a “troop discipline committee” – that’s ultimately the job of the Scoutmaster.
March 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown Here is another Philmont Bull I've seen on patches. I'm not really sure on the origins of this design but I really like how it turned out!
America’s first president is remembered for his humble leadership, bravery and honesty. One of those tales of his honesty — admitting that he had damaged his father’s cherry tree when he was 6 years old — is actually a myth. Still, virtue was instilled in George Washington at a young age.
It’s March 3, 1913. It’s been 65 years since the country’s first women’s rights convention. Those pushing for women’s suffrage are marching in the streets of Washington, D.C., the day before President-elect Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration. By the afternoon, spectators, including hecklers, have started congregating on the march participants’ route — police are losing control of the…
CLICK ON EACH PHOTO FOR A LARGER VIEW: Single Trestle Bridge Monkey Bridge Carousel Four-Sided Picnic Table Atomic Pile Team Building Station Square Lashing Instruction Climbing Platform Dish Washing Rack (Camp Gadget Display Area) Swing Derrick Trebuchet
Scouts with the Report to the Nation delegation leave the White House. As soon as she returned to the hotel, Star Scout Isabella Tunney grabbed a pen and paper. Her fellow Report to the Nation delegates huddled around her, recounting what happened in the Oval Office.
We usually think of bullying as taking place between youth. Whether they lack the filter of age and experience or just don’t know that it’s wrong, young people – particularly teenagers – can be genuinely mean-spirited at times. But it’s not just young people.
It turns out you, loyal Scouting volunteer, have quite a bit in common with MacGyver — and I don’t just mean your ability to solve problems in creative ways. A recent episode of the CBS action series MacGyver confirms what I’ve long hoped : the problem-solving, day-saving hero is a Scouting volunteer.
________________________________________ I believe I’ve got the sharpest gang of readers on the planet! Thank you! Here’s some solid information that came in only a few hours after last week’s column was published… Hi Andy, Always enjoy reading your articles and advice.
Congratulations to Mark Francis, who will serve as Scout executive of the Far East Council in Okinawa, Japan, effective April 1, 2020. Mark began his Scouting career as a district executive at the Utah National Parks Council in Orem, Utah.
On land or on the sea, if you want something done, call the Scouts. Scouts at the Florida Sea Base’s Brinton Environmental Center are being recognized by a national nonprofit for their best-in-class efforts to tag dolphinfish, also known as mahi-mahi.
Scouting can take you to some pretty incredible places. For proof, look up — way up — at a pair of Scouts BSA troops from Connecticut that successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Troop 175 for boys and Troop 1175 for girls were led by senior patrol leaders Max and Kate Hollister.
The BSA Brand Center is full of resources to help you promote Scouting in your community. Much like a library, it offers a curated collection of assets, including photos, videos, fliers, templates, and much more. Of course, digging through everything in the Brand Center to find what you need could be a time-consuming process, but…
It’s more smooth sailing ahead for Sea Scouting as another outstanding young person has been selected to lead the BSA’s aquatically inclined program. Aven Alexander, a high school junior from Texas who has earned the Quartermaster Award, Sea Scouting’s highest honor, will serve as the 2020–2021 National Sea Scout Boatswain .
Roger Tate (right) shows off what he calls his "11th Essential." If you only have room in your backpack for 10 items, make it the Ten Essentials . But let’s say your pack still has some space to spare. What’s the next must-include item to put in there?
March 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 1.5 hours Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown Members of our crew were on the ill-fated trek scheduled back in 2018. While it was terrible for them to miss it, I'm grateful to have them and their wisdom along with all of us this…
March 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 2 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown One bright spot that came out of 2018 Philmont experience was the Philmont Recovery Corps . Volunteers coming together with one goal in mind, to help Philmont get past the Ute Park Fire.
The board of review, like most aspects of Scouting, works best in person. But sometimes, for a number of legitimate reasons, that’s not an option. That’s why, as outlined in the Guide to Advancement (section 8.0.1.6), the BSA allows units to conduct boards of review by teleconferencing, using tools like Skype, Google Hangouts or Zoom.
Please join us in congratulating Todd Walter as Scout executive of the Las Vegas Area Council in Las Vegas, Nevada, effective April 1, 2020. Todd began his Scouting career as a district executive at the Baltimore Area Council in Baltimore, Maryland.
With the concerns of COVID-19 spreading, units are cancelling campouts and in-person meetings, but that doesn’t mean Scouting stops. Bob Trejo, Scoutmaster of Troop 98 of Whitpain Township, Pa., shared with us how about 60 Scouts in his troop met virtually recently.
March 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 2 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown In these days of COVID-19, extended school vacations (closures), work from home, and yes temporary cancelling of Scout meetings and functions, it is important to remember that this to will pass.
As we confront the fallout of coronavirus let’s remind ourselves Scouting is staying connected and bridging the gaps. Yep. we are in a pickle aren’t we? We have very little idea of what our lives will look like this time next year.
________________________________________ Hi Andy, We have a troop of some one hundred Scouts, all active and involved, and we’re still growing modestly every year. But this year, we gained twenty new Scouts all at once! They crossed over from two different packs and so creating three new-Scout patrols was pretty easy.
With schools closed and many Scouting events on pause, how do you continue to “Do a Good Turn Daily”? By remembering that acts of Scouting service don’t have to stop because you’re at home practicing social distancing. “We don’t stop being Scouts just because our meetings are physically on hold,” says Leah Nehls, a volunteer…
As public places, including many parks and campgrounds, are closing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, you might be left scratching your head on what you and your kids can do. Plenty! As we’ve highlighted this week, Scouts can still meet virtually and serve others .
Take the 30 day Cub Scout challenge! Work on both required and elective adventures from your home. Get calendars for Lions, Wolves, Bears, and Webelos and Arrows of Light.
In times of crisis, Scouts find a way to adapt. We’re hearing from Scouts and leaders across the country who have found creative ways to keep on Scouting even while practicing social distancing (staying home and remaining at least 6 feet from others if you must go out).
The worldwide health crisis has changed and is changing the way of life. It’s no surprise that it has touched Scouting and affected it in ways we could not have imagined. Even the “any old thing” that Baden-Powell suggested we Be Prepared for probably didn’t anticipate what we’re going through.
Congratulations to Allen Endicott, who will serve as Scout executive of the newly established Crossroads of the West Council in Salt Lake City, Utah, effective April 1, 2020. The Crossroads of the West Council was created when the Trapper Trails Council, the Great Salt Lake Council, and the Utah National Parks Council consolidated to enable…
Testing the Scouts BSA Handbook on my Kindle e-reader. (It works great!) Carry hundreds of pages of Scouting knowledge right in your pocket. The Scouts BSA Handbook for Boys and Scouts BSA Handbook for Girls are now available on Kindle, making it easier than ever for you or your Scouts to find essential information in…
Councils can now access the latest Council Market Analysis (2020). The analysis is based off your 2019 year-end membership with LDS units removed. This tool will help you: Identify areas you are underserving in your district/council Target your areas of growth opportunity Understand the population that you are targeting – what are their demographic characteristics, how…
Article submitted by Brooke Parker, Development Director at the Pathway to Adventure Council Article submitted by Brooke Parker, Development Director at the Pathway to Adventure Council Fundraising can be challenging but also enjoyable. With fundraising goals set high for many charities, the task can seem overwhelming.
Article submitted by Wendy Kurten, Northeast Region & Western Region Team Lead / National Alliances Director /Law Enforcement Exploring Staff Advisor The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and the Marine Corps League (MCL) have agreed to initiate a plan of mutual support to foster the ideals of Americanism and patriotic volunteerism among America’s youth.
When I think about survival, hydration is top of mind. It is fundamental to us as humans, as in over half of our bodies are made up of water. Being dehydrated can lead to serious complications and side effects, with fatigue, headache and crankiness being some of the first signs.
The BSA has a message to young people concerned that the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will prevent them from completing Eagle Scout rank requirements before their 18th birthday: Don’t worry; we’ve got your back. During this unprecedented interruption to Scouting nationwide, the BSA has released new guidance on advancement during COVID-19 .
Like everyone else, I’ve been trying lately to navigate life under threat of the corona virus. I read news articles about the pandemic spreading through the country and in my state. I’m trying to deal with social distancing rules at work while my wife is now homeschooling all of the kids.
March 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 2 hour Original design: Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown Oh sure their cute but they are the most destructive bear at Philmont, or anywhere, and will chew through a backpack to get to a tasty snack.
James Dus, a member of Cub Scout Pack 350 in Evansville, Indiana, has always been a fan of Thor , the Marvel Comics character who has shot into the public consciousness with his appearance in the most recent series of Marvel movies.
Thanks to everyone who joined the Scouting at Home Zoom Conference on March 26, 2020. It was so well attended that we maxed out our Zoom capacity. If you weren’t able to join, you can watch a recording of the conference below.
Scouts BSA Troop 223 now has more than 50 members. Mike Lanning says the secret to recruiting Scouts boils down to three simple words: invite, invite, invite. What if every Scouting family invited one other family to join their Scouting adventure?
March 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 2 hour Original design: Philmont\Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown Now I had not seen this flag until I went to a crew training but once I saw it I knew I had to make a slide based on the flag.
In the first World War, Scouts helped collect black walnut wood needed to make airplane propellers. In World War II, they scoured attics, basements and garages for “rubber, small iron and steel scrap, light metals and other materials needed for the war effort,” according to the July 1942 issue of Scouting magazine.
Please join us as we congratulate Randy Saunders, who will serve as Scout executive of the Southern Sierra Council in Bakersfield, California, effective April 16, 2020. Randy began his Scouting career in 1994 as a district executive at the Gulf Ridge Council in Tampa, Florida.
Leadership, service and the ability to respond quickly to complex situations. Those traits, which young people sharpen in Scouting, stay with you for life. For the latest high-profile example, look to the USNS Mercy , the Navy hospital ship stationed in Los Angeles to help the COVID-19 fight.
________________________________________ These are the times that try our souls (Thank you, Thomas Paine) . Everywhere, we’re hunkering down, staying safe, staying clean, staying as healthy as conditions and our constitutions allow. Bluntly, our country is in lock-down. This is the wise decision and the right thing to do.
________________________________________ Remember my “Rule 26”? Here it is: A bought neckerchief slide is gonna get lost; a hand-made slide, never! I’ve seen lots of photos of Scouts recently. Some are of boys in their Scouts BSA troops, and some are of girls in their Scouts BSA troops.
