– Bryan On Scouting

Many of today’s blue and gold dinners might feature elaborate advancement ceremonies, paid entertainment and big catering bills. If you want to reduce your stress level, read this story from the January-February 2019 issue of Scouting magazine for two very different approaches to rethinking the blue and gold dinner.

The images are grainy, but someone with a Scout’s trained eye will know instantly what they’re seeing. In the first photo, we see three life forms surrounding what appears to be a campfire. In the next, a group of seven life forms seem to be following a trail, as if on a walk or hike.…

“A force for change.” “The consummate team player.” A “true leader” with “infectious and passionate enthusiasm for the Venturing program.” Their peers have different words to describe the greatness demonstrated by this dynamic dozen of Venturing members, but we know of one phrase that now fits them all: National Venturing Leadership Award recipients. Today, Bryan…

A campsite that can withstand a sudden thunderstorm (or other unforeseen weather event) doesn’t just happen; you must meticulously plan and execute it from start to finish. Check out this story from the March-April 2010 issue of Scouting magazine for some rules you can follow to set yours up the right way.

“Once a Scout … Always a Scout.” That’s the mantra for the BSA Alumni Association. The association, created in 2008, serves as an umbrella organization for many Scouting affiliations and networks, like the National Eagle Scout Association, Alpha Phi Omega and more. There are many groups that connect people through shared interests or experiences, but…

When we read that the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth is searching the globe for 17 young people who have influential leadership skills, innovative ideas about the future and a proven ability to make a difference in their communities, we had just one thought: We need to get some BSA representation in…

Last December’s Governor’s Luncheon for Scouting, an annual fundraising event hosted by the Crossroads of America Council, was an unqualified success, raising more than $1.2 million that will go toward offsetting the costs of providing Scouting’s programs to more than 26,000 youth in Central Indiana. It was the 26th annual Governor’s Luncheon, and the 26th…

Matthew Westfall woke up to a text from his dad: “I don’t feel good.” “Where are you?” Matthew wrote back. Matthew found his dad working in the pasture out on their ranch. David Westfall said he was OK — just short of breath. “So I told him to sleep, and I worked a little bit,” Matthew…

It’s a tantalizing question worthy of campfire discussion: Which U.S. presidents throughout history would’ve been Scouts if the organization existed when they were young? Would Teddy Roosevelt, who was a council commissioner as an adult and established five national parks as president, have enjoyed monthly hikes with his troop? Would George Washington have won election…

The BSA celebrated its 112th birthday last week, making this the perfect time to refresh your knowledge of BSA history. Check out this story from the September-October 2017 issue of Scouting magazine for 10 important moments in the history of the Scouting movement.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Scouting…