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Scouting Blogs and News | Archived blog posts from February 2016.

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Here are some of the best pinewood derby cars of 2016 sent in by Boys' Life readers. ...

Posted to Inside Boys' Life on March 30th, 2016

Here are some of the best pinewood derby cars of 2016 sent in by Boys' Life readers. MORE PINEWOOD DERBY FUN Complete pinewood derby guide How to use science to make a fast pinewood derby car 100 amazing pinewood derby cars of 2014 Click here to... [more]

Cub Scout Wood Projects: Build a Chest

Posted to Cub Scout Ideas on March 29th, 2016

I love that we build Cub Scout wood projects at our day camp. The boys get to use tools that many of them have never used before. And they are creating something that is a lasting memory of their day camp experience. Our Cub Scout wood... [more]

Black Rock Desert is an extremely remote area of Nevada that includes more than 100 square miles of...

Posted to Inside Boys' Life on March 29th, 2016

Black Rock Desert is an extremely remote area of Nevada that includes more than 100 square miles of a dry lake bed. For Troop 1 out of Roseville, California, it's the perfect place to launch rockets . And we aren't talking about the little model... [more]

Issue 480 â€" March 29, 2016

Posted to Ask Andy on March 29th, 2016

________________________________________ Dear Andy, Do we have to have at least one CPR-certified person if we're taking a troop on an overnight camp-out? I can't find any reference that says if it's required or not. (Name & Council Withheld)... [more]

9 Clever Food Ideas for Cub Scouts for Blue and Gold

Posted to Summit Blog on March 28th, 2016

Food Ideas for Cub Scouts at Blue and Gold It can be a daunting task to attempt to feed a whole group of kids with varying degrees of growing tastes and palates. To that end, the banquet part of Blue and Gold can cause a little heartburn for the... [more]

Scoutmaster Podcast 309 â€" Scout Parents 2

Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on March 28th, 2016

The single most important thing a Scout parents need to know is … This is the second of three podcasts about Scout parents. Scouting is not simply another activity on the schedule, it is a process. Once Scout parents understand the process... [more]

A Review of Pinewood Derby 2016

Posted to Summit Blog on March 28th, 2016

Pinewood Derby 2016 #CubChat Back by popular demand, we hosted a Twitter #CubChat on all things Pinewood Derby. Just as we began 2015 with our Pinewood Derby #CubChat, this year's first #CubChat was on the same topic, and discussing all of the... [more]

The "what" comes immediately. The "why" takes longer.

Posted to Bobwhite's Blather on March 28th, 2016

If there's one thing that Scouting does thoroughly for its adult volunteers (besides handbooks and publications, that is), it's training. There are all manner of courses for training every volunteer position, from den leader to council chairman... [more]

35 Reasons to Connect With the Cub Scouts on Instagram

Posted to Summit Blog on March 25th, 2016

From Pinewood Derby to Scouting for Food, the Cub Scout leaders and parents on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and in every part of what we affectionately call the "digital pack" are some of the best photographers at capturing the Cub Scout... [more]

Scouting Helps Prepare Boys For An LDS Mission

Posted to My Scout Stuff - A Scoutmaster's Blog on March 24th, 2016

I just finished reading a new book by Brad Harris, author of Trails to Testimony , called A Parent's Guide to Raising Successful Missionaries . Even though my two Eagle Scouts recently left for their missions – one to Modesto, CA in September and... [more]

The Benefits of Scouting: A Grandfather's Reflection

Posted to Cub Scout Ideas on March 24th, 2016

We have some family friends that we've known for generations. Literally. My grandmother and my friend, Jessica's, grandfather went to school together in the 1930s. Our families have been woven together so long, we sometimes we forget that we... [more]

Disc Golf: From Cold To Mild

Posted to A Scoutmaster's Blog on March 24th, 2016

The Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 sure like their disc golf. They like it so well that for the last few years they have planned a disc golf outing as part of their yearly program. Central Minnesota has several disc golf courses. In fact, I believe... [more]

He is describing chaos

Posted to Bobwhite's Blather on March 24th, 2016

If you're a regular viewer of the CBS show 60 Minutes, you probably caught the remarkable story last Sunday of a prep school in Newark, New Jersey. St. Benedict's is a private school that enrolls boys from grades seven through twelve from a wide... [more]

Derby Car Displays

Posted to A Scoutmaster's Blog on March 23rd, 2016

The Cub Scouts of Melrose Pack 68 recently had fun making a project during the March 21st pack meeting. They boys constructed display stands for their Pinewood Derby cars. Each stand is able to display five cars, enough from 1st Grade Tiger Cubs... [more]

Issue 479 â€" March 22, 2016

Posted to Ask Andy on March 22nd, 2016

________________________________________ Hello Andy, Can an older (age 21) Eagle Scout wear his old Scout uniform and Eagle medal to his younger brother's Eagle court of honor, even though he's no longer active or registered in Scouting? (Ray... [more]

Veterans' Appreciation Day 2016

Posted to Summit Blog on March 22nd, 2016

Attention Veterans! In an effort to strengthen Boy Scouts' Duty to Country, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has teamed up with several veterans organizations, including The West Virginia National Guard, Paralyzed Veterans of America…... [more]

Scout Master Podcast 308 â€" Scout Parents 1

Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on March 21st, 2016

What should Scout parents do if a child want's to quit Scouts?… This is the first of three podcasts about Scout parents. Just about every child will reach some impasse along the way that will make them reluctant or downright adamant about... [more]

Cyber Chip: Pack Technology Policy

Posted to Cub Scout Ideas on March 21st, 2016

Has your pack defined acceptable uses of technology at Cub Scout events? You'll need to so that the boy can earn the Cub Scout Cyber Chip. The post Cyber Chip: Pack Technology Policy appeared first on Cub Scout Ideas ... [more]

An untapped source of adult help

Posted to Bobwhite's Blather on March 21st, 2016

Boy Scout troops don't seem to have the same drought of willing adult helpers as Cub Scout packs do, but they still need a few to serve in roles supporting the Scouts in running their troop, and a few more to help with the support tasks that the... [more]

Start a Fire with a Lemon

Posted to Scouter Mom on March 19th, 2016

When teaching fire building skills, it can be fun to try some fire starting methods other than matches. This video shows how to start a fire with a lemon, copper brads, zinc nails, wire, and steel wool... [more]

Compilation of Scout Songs

Posted to Scouter Mom on March 18th, 2016

Shawn sent in this question: Is there a decent CD or iTunes album of Boy Scout songs? I find the Cub and Boy Scout Songbook CDs quite lacking. A search turns up several Girl Scout albums, and few things on YouTube. The best compilation I could find... [more]

Watch exclusive BL interview with Olympian Abby Wambach

Posted to Inside Boys' Life on March 18th, 2016

Watch exclusive BL interview with Olympian Abby Wambach This week, Nintendo chose soccer great Abby Wambach to be its spokesperson for the 3DS version of Mario vs. Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Watch the video below to see the two-time... [more]

Scout Program: Climbing and Rappelling

Posted to Inside Boys' Life on March 17th, 2016

Scout Program: Climbing and Rappelling When you're rappelling or rock climbing as part of a BSA program, you aren't going at it alone. Your right-hand man is called a belayer, and his job is critical. He also has a backup belayer, so you have a... [more]

Issue 478 â€" March 15, 2016

Posted to Ask Andy on March 15th, 2016

________________________________________ Dear Andy, I've noticed that the activities qualifying for certain segments of the National Outdoor Awards have been changing rather quickly, but a few BSA activities still seem to have been left out... [more]

Management Speak

Posted to Jabbering All Day Long on March 15th, 2016

Management Speak 101 Here is a beginner's guide to management speak. Now you can sound very knowledgable in any management meeting. It is very likely you have seen these before but I came across them again and they are still funny. A 404 Someone... [more]

5 Questions (and Answers) for the New Lion Program

Posted to Summit Blog on March 15th, 2016

More Information on the New Lion Program As we mentioned earlier on the Cub Hub , Select councils will gear up this Fall to pilot Lions, a new Scouting program for Kindergarten age boys. Sounds simple, right? Some might think it's simply a matter... [more]

Scoutmaster Podcast 307 â€" How Scouts Do What No One Else Does

Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on March 14th, 2016

I am not thinking about the nature of Scouting activities… When Scouting is happening, when it's really popping and sizzling along, Scouts are doing things that few, if any of their peers are doing. I am not thinking about the nature of their... [more]

Three ways to document your Scouting adventure

Posted to Inside Boys' Life on March 14th, 2016

Three ways to document your Scouting adventure When you go on a Scout trip - whether it's hiking, camping or something else - you're making memories. Consider keeping a journal of your Scout outings that will keep those memories fresh for years to... [more]

The dreaded data dump

Posted to Bobwhite's Blather on March 14th, 2016

You know the routine. It happens every month. The committee gets together for the monthly committee meeting. The meeting gets off to a late start because the chairman waits for stragglers (not a good idea, and the subject of another article). The... [more]

This is my Dinner for Six List

Posted to Jabbering All Day Long on March 11th, 2016

You will have seen these posts a number of time your top x number for dinner I thought it was a good idea I would write my version. The premise is, and I am sure you have been asked the question may time before, if you could invite 6 people to... [more]

Issue 477 â€" March 11, 2016

Posted to Ask Andy on March 11th, 2016

________________________________________ Dear Andy, I'm the Chartered Organization Representative for a Boy Scout troop. Recently, our Scoutmaster started demanding access to the troop's checking account. We said no, as it's been our policy since... [more]

Noah in 2016

Posted to Jabbering All Day Long on March 11th, 2016

In the year 2016 , the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in England and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with... [more]

Bottlecutter2.0: making 'rope' from soft drink bottles

Posted to Ropes and Poles on March 11th, 2016

Image copyright Advocate Egerov From Russia, via Youtube, comes this technique for converting a PET soft drink bottle into a strong 'tape' that can be used for lashings. ??????? ?????? (Advocate Egerov) has two videos that explain how to build the... [more]

When the Baltimore Area Council tried to develop a STEM camp they knew just whom to ask: the guys...

Posted to Inside Boys' Life on March 9th, 2016

When the Baltimore Area Council tried to develop a STEM camp they knew just whom to ask: the guys in Troop 944 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Scouts met multiple times to discuss ideas and share their thoughts on what a summer camp focusing on... [more]

Scoutmaster Podcast 306 â€" Scouts Planning

Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on March 7th, 2016

It's all about asking the right question… When it comes to Scouts planning activities there are two major threads of observations I hear about: They don't plan at all, they are incapable OR they plan the same things over and over. People... [more]

OC + LNT + TL! + LE = OE

Posted to Scoutmaster Musings on March 7th, 2016

Outdoor Code + Leave No Trace + Tread Lightly + Land Ethic = Outdoor Ethics Just like that little equation might be confusing, there's been some confusion about the Outdoor Ethics part of the Boy Scouts of America program. I've heard BSA is... [more]

Adults teaching Scout skills

Posted to Bobwhite's Blather on March 7th, 2016

Suppose that instead of a usual weekend campout, the Scouts of your troop have decided to go on a weekend hike – maybe to get a taste of what a longer voyage like a Philmont trek might be like. They'll start out by getting dropped off Friday... [more]

Write a funny caption for this photo

Posted to Inside Boys' Life on March 4th, 2016

Write a funny caption for this photo and it could be printed in the June issue! What's going on in this picture? What is that bird doing and what is the alligator thinking? If you can think of a funny caption for this photo, just post it in the... [more]

You can't conquer Half Dome halfheartedly. Thousands of hikers make it to the top of the granite...

Posted to Inside Boys' Life on March 4th, 2016

You can't conquer Half Dome halfheartedly. Thousands of hikers make it to the top of the granite rock formation in Yosemite National Park each year, thanks to steel cables that run 4,800 feet up, but that doesn't make the trip any less intimidating... [more]

'CatDrill' - quick pioneering with pre-drilled poles and light synthetic cord.

Posted to Ropes and Poles on March 4th, 2016

Catdrill 'lashing' details 'CatDrill' is an Italian technique for staving or lightweight pioneering , that involves preparing the staves to be used by drilling a small hole and notching the surface of the pole. Lightweight synthetic kernmantle rope... [more]

Cub Scout Camping Checklist

Posted to Cub Scout Ideas on March 4th, 2016

Download this FREE Cub Scout camping checklist to share with the families in your pack. Share all the details about the campout in one document. The post Cub Scout Camping Checklist appeared first on Cub Scout Ideas ... [more]

Call Me Noah

Posted to Scoutmaster Musings on March 3rd, 2016

Just call me Noah. My wife, eagle scout son, and I volunteered for a week at Camp Noah folks to get more info about getting involved. Noah's Ark SM Minute Unicorn song Scout... [more]

Stop flipping them!

Posted to Bobwhite's Blather on March 3rd, 2016

"They turn them upside down when they get their Bear badge??" My wife incredulously asked me that as she showed me a picture that a friend of hers, a parent of a Cub Scout, had posted on Facebook. His son was dangling from his ankles as the... [more]

Looking around, making a plan, and dusting off the ol' domain

Posted to A Volunteer in the Movement on March 2nd, 2016

A lot of life has happened in the last couple years, and this domain has suffered because of it. Well, now I'm about back to a point I can spend some time on it! Changes are coming to the layout, design, and content so stay tuned! –Arlen... [more]

Carrick Bend Neckerchief Slide Video

Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on March 2nd, 2016

This slide is based on an idea found in "Whittlin' Jim's" column in the December 1950 issue of Boy's Life . Check out my carrick bend infographic (part if the PDF package ) This neckerchief slide can be made from just about any straight-grained... [more]

New Cub Scout Shooting Sports Awards

Posted to Cub Scout Ideas on March 2nd, 2016

The new Cub Scout shooting sports program has arrived! Get the new requirements, see the new recognition devices and read the FAQs about the change. The post New Cub Scout Shooting Sports Awards appeared first on Cub Scout Ideas ... [more]

Freezer Bag Cooking: Adventure Ready Recipes

Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on March 1st, 2016

Author Sarah Kirkconnell ( Trailcooking.com ) has revised and expanded her excellent book Freezer Bag Cooking with the addition of many, many great new recipes. Freezer bag cooking is a simple technique that is perfect for Scouts, hot water is... [more]

Issue 476 â€" March 1, 2016

Posted to Ask Andy on March 1st, 2016

________________________________________ Dear Andy, My district has established an "Every Leader Trained" emphasis to encourage volunteers to train for their position. So far, training is up four percent. Looking at individual unit size and the... [more]

Eagle Scout saves lives on Everest

Posted to Inside Boys' Life on March 1st, 2016

Eagle Scout saves lives on Everest By Aaron Derr Photographs courtesy of the Moniz family and Damian Benegas Matt Moniz, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout from Troop 171 in Boulder, Colorado, stood near the base camp of Mount Everest in the country of... [more]

Eagle Scout saves lives on Everest

Posted to Inside Boys' Life on March 1st, 2016

Eagle Scout saves lives on Everest By Aaron Derr Photographs courtesy of the Moniz family and Damian Benegas Matt Moniz, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout from Troop 171 in Boulder, Colorado, stood near the base camp of Mount Everest in the country of... [more]

March KNOTS Cartoon

Posted to U.S. Scouting Service Project on March 1st, 2016

Helicopter Parents March 2016 Cafe Press Items Copyright - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Visit us at http://usscouts.org | News at http://usssp.blogspot.com... [more]

Reading Challenge 2015

Posted to Jabbering All Day Long on March 1st, 2016

Back at the start of 2015 I decided to do a reading challenge this is my review of my reading challenge The post Reading Challenge 2015 appeared first on Jabbering All Day Long ... [more]

Leap Day Last Day

Posted to Scoutmaster Musings on February 29th, 2016

Hey, you get an extra day to enter my monthly give-away this month - only a few hours left. Check out my contest page and take a shot. Here are a few more contests you might want to enter... Scouting magazine gives away stuff. Visit their contest... [more]

Podcast 305 â€" Thurman on Patrols

Posted to Scoutmaster Clarke Green on February 29th, 2016

What Did John Thurman say to Patrol leaders? Richard Francis "John" Thurman (4 April 1911 – April 1985) became the third Camp Chief at Gilwell Park in 1943 and ably developed Gilwell Park and leader training for 26 years. Author of 15 books on... [more]

Oscar Cookies

Posted to A Scoutmaster's Blog on February 29th, 2016

Did you watch the Academy Awards last night? I watched the first thirty minutes and the last two hours. I thought Chris Rock did a pretty good job as the host. His opening monologue was funny and had a nice bite to it. I can not say I agree with... [more]

The committee's most important duty

Posted to Bobwhite's Blather on February 29th, 2016

The troop committee has many responsibilities and functions that facilitate a well-run troop. These include equipment, finance, advancement, training, transportation, helping to provide camping opportunities, and generally supporting the... [more]

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