– Bryan On Scouting

The nine recipients of the 2021 National Venturing Leadership Award. They come from all over the country — from Southern California to central Maine. Their tenure in the Venturing program ranges from years to decades. And while some worked tirelessly behind the scenes, others made their mark in the spotlight. For all their differences — all…

Linda Mentz and her Eagle Scout project. Photos are courtesy of Linda Mentz. After battling a blaze, firefighters are often wet and dirty. And for some, they are wet and dirty going to put out a fire. Firefighters with Station 1 in Gainesville, Fla., had this problem. Not only was their turnout gear (pants, jackets,…

Kaushal Gokare (second from right) and other Georgia Tech students visited Fort Yargo State Park in October 2020. We’ve proven that Scouting can help you get into college and shared how to include Scouting experience on a college application. But the benefits don’t end once a Scout gets that “You’re in!” text message. Scouting experience…

Ben Buxton in one of his Troop 77 videos. (All screenshots courtesy of Ben Buxton) He made fun, interactive videos his fellow Scouts could watch from home. He worked with his patrol leaders’ council to devise fun games, like “Scout Jeopardy,” that would engage all 143 Scouts in his troop. And he found a way…

Maria LeBlanc became homeless when she was 50. For nearly the next 15 years, she relied on the generosity of others while living on the streets of Vancouver, Wash. She would hold up a cardboard sign, asking for money, which she would then use for food and supplies for her camp. Standing off of a…

Courtesy of Pack 182 The recruiting pitch starts off pretty well: “If you join Pack 123, you’ll get to have fun, make new friends and enjoy hands-on experiences you can’t get in any other organization for youth.” But then the realities of the pandemic settle in, and the wheels start to fall off like a…

If you’re hungry for a safe and easy fundraiser that can boost your unit’s profits, you can’t make a more delicious decision than going with Country Meats. A family-run business since 1978, the company offers 12-plus flavors of smoked snacks that Scouts can sell for $1 each. You keep 45% of the profits. Traditionally, Scouts…

Courtesy of Cindy deRosier When heading out behind the wheel for an evening errand or weekend adventure, remember to follow the Scout Motto and BPRPRD. If you spot a motorist in distress, try to keep in mind the Scout Slogan and DAGTD. Do all those things, and your fellow travelers won’t be surprised to see…

A leader then and now: Noah Harris as an Eagle Scout and at Harvard. (Courtesy of Noah Harris) With a budget of half a million dollars and responsibility for nearly 7,000 undergraduates, Noah Harris has come a long way since he was elected patrol leader in Troop 90 of Hattiesburg, Miss. But Harris says he…

Illustrations courtesy of Ronald Ferdinand Scouts shouldn’t be menaces to their neighbors, but according to one cartoon, one got into his fair share of trouble. The “Dennis the Menace” comic debuted in March 1951. Since then, the mischievous 5-year-old that cartoonist Hank Ketcham created has been featured in 1,000 newspapers in 48 countries as well…