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Athletics Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
The Athletics merit badge is an elective which might interest Boy Scouts who are involved in sports or concerned about fitness. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]... From Scouter Mom 14 hours ago |
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New Service Project Guidelines Highlight Safety
One of the most frequently asked questions that our Health and Safety Team receives concerns service projects. Specifically, which tools and jobs are appropriate for youth on a project site, and which are appropriate for adult leaders? To help shed... From Scout Wire 2 days ago |
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Sneak a Peek at New Game Design MB
The BSA's next new merit badge, Game Design, is already well under development. The new badge will allow Scouts to focus on one (or more) of these kinds of games: Electronic Outdoor/athletic events Tabletop Pen and paper or role-playing This... From Scout Wire 4 days ago |
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Staffing the 2013 Jamboree? Help Support Our Newest Merit Badges
We are seeking passionate Scouters who plan to attend the 2013 National Scout Jamboree (either full- or part-time) and need a job while there to consider helping support one of our newest merit badges, including Inventing, Robotics, Chess, Welding,... From Scout Wire 4 days ago |
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A Plan for Completing Merit Badges
Following my proposed strategy for working through Advancement , the next step is to have a plan for completing merit badges. Here are my ideas for helping a Scout reach Life by the time he turns 14 (or very close). This perspective is mostly... From My Scout Stuff - A Scoutmaster's Blog 6 days ago |
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Wanted: 36 Volunteers to Share Their Merit Badge Skills at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree
Merit badges don't teach themselves. And with the 2013 National Scout Jamboree just 14 months away, the BSA's looking for a few good men and women to demonstrate their skills. The focus is on the six newest merit badges making a big splash at the... From Scouting Magazine 6 days ago |
Geology Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
There are a lot of caves in our area, so many Boy Scouts do the requirements for the Geology merit badge in conjuction with a cave tour outing. Some of the cave sites have geologists on staff who can show the Scouts specimens and explain the... From Scouter Mom 1 week ago |
Issue 308 May 11, 2012
________________________________________ Rule No. 75: You can fix the blame, or you can fix the problem; take your pick. ________________________________________ Do we have great readers here? You bet we do! Here's a note by Chris, from the BSA's... From Ask Andy 1 week ago |
First Look: Game Design Merit Badge (and How You Can Help!)
A new merit badge rewarding you for creativity, fun, and strategy? I'm game. Your Scouts will be too when the Game Design merit badge debuts next year. Approved and listed on my Guide to New Merit Badges for a month now, the new badge is still in... From Scouting Magazine 2 weeks ago |
Farm Mechanics Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts who are interested in the operation and maintenance of farm machinery can earn the Farm Mechanics merit badge. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]... From Scouter Mom 2 weeks ago |
Issue 307 May 6, 2012
Rule No. 73: Learn a subject or skill so well that you can teach it; by teaching it you'll understand it and it'll stay with you for life. Rule No. 74: Commissioners: If you want to learn a unit's greatest weakness, listen to what they brag about... From Ask Andy 2 weeks ago |
Issue 306 April 30, 2012
Rule No. 72: The BSA trainer's motto: "Look Prepared." ________________________________________ Dear Andy, Some of the finest leaders in Scouting are female, and we want to find more! I'm a male District Commissioner; one of our district's best... From Ask Andy 3 weeks ago |
3 Ways to Ramp Up Your Patch Trading
The 2013 National Jamboree is all about action, right? Well, right, as long as "action" includes patch-trading action. Just like in past jamborees, and in addition to all the high-adventure activities that will be available to you, 2013 will... From Summit Blog 3 weeks ago |
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Should Scouters Capitalize on Archery Interest Inspired by 'the Hunger Games'?
Thanks to The Hunger Games , archery is cool again. Your move, Scout leaders. In the megahit film and book, the character Katniss Everdeen (above) uses a bow and arrow to hunt for food. And she does it in style. Sounds like a great opportunity for... From Scouting Magazine 4 weeks ago |
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ARRL Field Day Can Get Your Scouts Interested in Radio, JOTA
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day is the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the United States. Each year, more than 35,000 amateur radio operators gather with their clubs, their friends, or by themselves to operate... From Scout Wire 4 weeks ago |
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Amateur Radio Fans: Have a Field Day!
If you're a ham radio buff, the six-month wait until the next Jamboree on the Air feels like a lifetime. Fortunately, there's hope. Wait just two months and attend the American Radio Relay League's annual Field Day on June 23 and 24. Both events... From Scouting Magazine 1 month ago |
Fly Fishing Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
The Fly Fishing merit badge will teach Boy Scouts how to tie their own flies and then go after the big catch. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]... From Scouter Mom 1 month ago |
Energy Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
Earning the Energy merit badge will help Boy Scouts think about the supply and demand issues for energy in our modern world. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]... From Scouter Mom 1 month ago |
Issue 303 April 17, 2012
____________________________________________ Rule No. 69: First Law of Guides, Manuals, and Handbooks: The topic you need the most is always absent from the index. ________________________________________ Hi Andy, Youth Protection guidelines... From Ask Andy 1 month ago |
Woodwork Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts make a carpentry project while working on the Woodwork merit badge. Our local carpenters union holds a skill center for this badge every year and the Scouts who have gone have really enjoyed it. [ This is a content summary only. Click on... From Scouter Mom 1 month ago |
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Resistance Is Futile, During National Robotics Week
Robots are taking over the world! OK, I'm overreacting, a little, but I can't help it. This week has me thinking about robotics and the many ways in which machines make our lives better. So get with the programming and involve your pack, troop,... From Scouting Magazine 1 month ago |
Dog Care Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
Our local Humane Society does a Dog Care merit badge skill center for Boy Scouts once or twice a year. Several of our Scouts have gone and been enthusiastic about what they learned. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for... From Scouter Mom 1 month ago |
Your One-Stop Shop for Updated Merit Badge Info
Stumped when Scouts question you about new merit badges? I hear you. With so many new and exciting merit badges, keeping up isn't easy. That's why I created a guide to New Merit Badges - a concise, regularly updated information source. Click here... From Scouting Magazine 1 month ago |
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Five Ways to Get Involved in National Welding Month
Unless one of their relatives won last week's Mega Millions jackpot, your Scouts will need a job some day. Sorry. Just one of life's little realities. But here's the good news: Part of helping Scouts become "Prepared. For Life." includes giving... From Scouting Magazine 1 month ago |
Bugling Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
In 2010, BSA announced that it was going to discontinue the Bugling merit badge and merge it into the Music merit badge. The response to this announcement was so overwhelming that BSA reversed this decision and Bugling remains a separate badge. [... From Scouter Mom 1 month ago |
Model Design and Building Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts who enjoy building models from kits can challenge themselves further when they earn the Model Design and Building merit badge. For this badge they must build one model without starting from a kit. [ This is a content summary only. Click... From Scouter Mom 1 month ago |
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C.O.P.E and Scouting
Spending time with your Scouts on C.O.P.E courses is a wonderful experience. Scouts are challenged to step away from what they know is comfortable. The team building exercises and challenging tasks push Scouts to push themselves, not only for the... From The Scoutmaster Minute 1 month ago |
Bob's Blog: Launching the Welding Merit Badge
Imagine, if you will, a "welding extravaganza." That's how the Heart of America Council recently cooked up the rollout of the BSA's Welding merit badge, with 24 Scouts becoming the first in the country to earn this award. I was in Kansas City... From Scout Wire 1 month ago |
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American Welding Society to Donate 50 Student Membership to Scouts
The American Welding Society (AWS)-whose members helped write the requirements for the new Welding merit badge-is donating 50 student AWS memberships to Boy Scouts who earn their Welding badge in April. The Boy Scout/National Welding Month... From Scout Wire 1 month ago |
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2013 Jamboree Will Have Events Both Old and New
Perhaps you've been thinking about signing up for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. But wait! Not sure if you're into all that high adventure, all the time? Well, have no fear-the 2013 National Scout Jamboree will indeed be packed full of fun all... From Scout Wire 1 month ago |
Issue 299 March 25, 2012
________________________________________ Rule No. 66: Anything told to you "for your own good" isn't. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, We have a Scout whose Eagle project is re-building an animal enclosure that was destroyed... From Ask Andy 1 month ago |
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A Scout's Cycling Experience
You wake up to the sound of your rain fly shaking and the voice of your patrol leader telling you to get up. Quickly, you get dressed and hop out of your tent. Soon your patrol members start cooking a delicious breakfast. Each time you leave your... From Summit Blog 2 months ago |
What Reosurces Would You Like to See More Of?
Here's what readers replied when asked to finish the sentence "I'd really like to see more resources about" Many answers reflected the never-ending search for new ideas: Troop program ideas Any new ideas for troops to do other than just camping... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 2 months ago |
No. 298 March 20, 2012
Rule No. 65: Anyone who must tell you he always tells the truth, is lying. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, On merit badges, I can't find anything written by the BSA about how long a Scout has to complete a merit badge once... From Ask Andy 2 months ago |
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Trail to Eagle Scout App
Following the great theme of great Scout Apps hitting the market lately, another is rolling out. Trail to Eagle is a Boy Scout reference for your smartphone available on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 7. With the Trail to Eagle a Scout can... From Scouting News 2 months ago |
What Approach Do You Use for Large-Scale Instruction in Scouting?
The perennial problem of merit badge "academies" is the notion of having 30+ youth in a single room working on a merit badge like Citizenship in the Community with just one or two instructors. What strategies work in this kind of... From HalfEagle Answers 2 months ago |
What Resources Do You Use? Survey Report Part 3
When asked what specific online resources they used when looking for information about program ideas. Respondents listed a range of specific websites: Ask Andy Questions and answers in an advice column format backpackinglight.com Great Backpacking... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 2 months ago |
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What Resources Do You Use? Survey Report Part 2
The survey asked about two distinct types of information -information related to policy and procedure and information dealing with program plans and ideas. Policy and Procedure The majority of respondents cite Scouting.org (the official Boy Scouts... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 2 months ago |
Walk the Line? After Review, the BSA Gives Slacklining a (Qualified) OK
Find two trees, grab some friends, and work on your balance: Slacklining is now an approved Scouting activity - with qualifications. After a thorough review, the BSA's Health and Safety team officially OK'd the extreme sport this week for all Scout... From Scouting Magazine 2 months ago |
No. 297 March 13, 2012
Rule No. 64: The length and complexity of PowerPoint presentations are most often in inverse proportion to their value. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, I just read your column about the unit with adults "allowed" able to carry... From Ask Andy 2 months ago |
Issue 295 March 6, 2012
Rule No. 62: Beware what a new acquaintance tells you he's best at This usually turns out to be his Achilles' heel. ________________________________________ Hi Andy, About that Scout who was kicked out of his troop for mouthing off Our troop... From Ask Andy 2 months ago |
Advancement, Parents and Pressure
I recevied this question recently via the website contact form. The email address given did not work so I am publishing the question and answer here. -Clarke I'm a assistant scoutmaster and was recently contacted by a dad of a scout that after one... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 2 months ago |
Week of Scouting
Attended Eagle ceremony on Sunday. Attended troop meeting on Monday. Gave out ScoutStuff.org gift card and ClassB.com coupon on Wednesday. Helped out at district roundtable on Thursday. Completed a First Aid merit badge with a scout on Friday... From Scoutmaster Musings 2 months ago |
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5 Adventures You Can Do at the Summit That Don't Require a Helmet
What's the best thing about being a Scout? How about the adventures? Well, just so you know, there WILL be plenty of your favorite Scout adventures at the 2013 jamboree. Here's what I mean: Of course, there's no lack of adventure with whitewater... From Summit Blog 2 months ago |
Issue 293 March 1, 2012
Issue 293 March 1, 2012 ________________________________________ Rule No. 60: The extent of "politics" in any organization is inversely proportional to its ability to show results. ________________________________________ MARLINSPIKE SKILLS A... From Ask Andy 2 months ago |
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5 Ways You Can Stay Active in Scouting
Once completing Cub Scouts, it is natural to move up to Boy Scouts. But what about after that? Far too often, I hear adult leaders speak about losing their prized Eagle Scouts to the world abroad. We are becoming increasingly busy with high school,... From Summit Blog 2 months ago |
Welding Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
Today (Feb 24, 2012) is the first day Boy Scouts can start earning the new Welding merit badge. Opportunities in the welding field are endless, and Scouts earning their Welding merit badge can not only explore the fundamentals of welding, but also... From Scouter Mom 2 months ago |
Issue 292 February 24, 2012
Issue 292 February 24, 2012 ________________________________________ Rule No. 59: When your good work speaks for itself, don't interrupt. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, You noted, recently, that the new EAGLE SCOUT SERVICE... From Ask Andy 2 months ago |
Forestry Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts who are interested in conservation and tree identification will enjoy earning the Forestry merit badge. [ This is a content summary only. Click on the article title for full links, other content, and more! ]... From Scouter Mom 3 months ago |
Issue 291 February 19, 2012
Rule No. 58: If "the fine print" were your friend, it would be printed in large. ________________________________________ Hi Andy, I'm starting work on my College of Commissioner Science doctoral thesis. One idea I got from reading your column ... From Ask Andy 3 months ago |
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