– Bryan On Scouting

We’re a few months into coping with the COVID-19 pandemic — though it probably feels like so much longer. Your Scouts’ summer adventures might have been cancelled; you might feel frustrated navigating life at home or going out in public; you might be examining your and your family’s mental health like never before. The Boy…

Rafe Kotalik of Troop 777 in the Woodlands, Texas (Sam Houston Area Council), makes face coverings to donate. Today’s in-demand superhero skill isn’t flight or invisibility. It’s the ability to sew. Sewing machine sales have skyrocketed as dextrous do-gooders put their skills to work making face coverings that could save lives. “As the need for masks…

If you were looking for a tutor for your student, Manan Shah’s résumé would rise to the top of your pile. He excels in Advanced Placement and honors classes, has placed first in national math competitions and scored a near-perfect score (1580) on the SAT. A typical tutor of that caliber might set you back…

This year has been hectic, to say the least — disrupted schedules, cancelled campouts and constant adjustments have become the norm. Any resource to help you keep track of changes and plan accordingly would be welcomed. Say no more. Boys’ Life magazine offers free downloadable calendars, notebooks and charts to help you Be Prepared and…

Get ready this Saturday for the most fun event you and your Scouting family can attend from home. Introducing Family Fun Fest – where you get to join Scouts across the nation in building a Pinewood Derby car, putting together a model rocket, learning how to draw something new, listening to some really cool guest…

During a pandemic, Scouts have had to get creative to continue their adventures and service. Sometimes, the changes transformed their plans into something much greater than they conceived. John-Aaron Bozanic, an Eagle Scout and current Venturer with Crew 774 in Laguna Woods, Calif., was working on a conservation project when the COVID-19 virus began spreading across…

Weekends in the Munsch household flew by like a 90 mph fastball. On Saturdays, Jason Munsch, who at age 11 pitched a no-hitter in a Little League All-Star Game, played baseball. After the final out, Dona and Keith Munsch drove their son to meet his fellow Scouts wherever Troop 566 was camping that weekend. And…

Last summer, more than 120 Scouts met at the Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club’s clubhouse in New Lenox, Ill., to learn about the world of model trains. The 3,600-square-foot clubhouse features dozens of model trains that run through handcrafted terrain built by club members. This summer, the clubhouse has been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic,…