Scouting Articles (most recent first)
‘Smart marketing, social media and a bit of luck’: How this Cub Scout pack is growing
In August, members of Pack 173 volunteered at Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts. (Courtesy of Chris Nichols) The odds were stacked against Pack 173 even before COVID hit. As a Cub Scout pack on a military base, turnover is extreme. Families stay at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachussetts for one to four…
Read MoreFocus on fun, family and the future: Six tips for Cub Scout summer activities
Michael Hanson/BSA file photo Hello, summer! We’ve been expecting you — and especially your long days, warm weather and break from school. Most Cub Scout packs slow down in the summer. Dens don’t meet, advancement pauses and packs schedule outdoor activities instead of traditional monthly meetings. It’s a great chance for volunteers to take a…
Read More13 Scouters to receive 2021 Silver Buffalo Award, Scouting’s top honor for volunteers
The Boy Scouts of America could not exist without the tireless effort of volunteers across the country and, in some cases, the world. From weekly den meetings to National Jamborees, the BSA can’t say “thank you” enough to the volunteers that make it happen. That’s why the Silver Buffalo Award exists. In recognition of their…
Read MoreRalph Puckett Jr. becomes 12th known Eagle Scout to receive the Medal of Honor
Courtesy of the White House Early on a cold November morning in Korea in 1950, an American soldier left the safety of his position to draw enemy fire away from his fellow Army Rangers. That soldier, Ralph Puckett Jr., is an Eagle Scout. “With full knowledge of the danger, 1st Lt. Puckett intentionally ran across…
Read MoreHow to Avoid Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
John Musgrove was on his first backpacking trip, and he was not a happy hiker. “I’m tired, and I think I’m going to barf,” he moaned. The eighth grader and his Scouts BSA patrol were hiking a section of the Appalachian Trial in the Mark Trail Wilderness of north Georgia. John, 13, was a good…
Read MoreScouts can earn college credit for attending national leadership course
National Youth Leadership Training educates Scouts, Venturers and Sea Scouts on how to be effective leaders; NYLT Leadership Academy teaches them how to be effective teachers. For the first time, those who attend the academy not only will learn how to teach NYLT courses in their home councils, but they can also get college credit…
Read MoreRegistration now open for National Wood Badge Course at the Summit — the most fun you’ll have getting trained
Participants attempt a team-building game at the National Model Linked Troop Wood Badge Course in 2020. (Courtesy of Chris Perry) At first, it sounds like a reality TV pitch: What happens when you bring together 64 strangers from across the country and challenge them to spend five days living, learning and working together? But the…
Read MoreNeed a den chief? Ask a Venturer
Since den chief counts as a position of responsibility for Scouts BSA rank advancement, it can be natural to seek a Scout in the program to serve as a den chief. But Venturers and Sea Scouts can also contribute to your den’s success. “As a den chief, I helped the Cub Scouts in my den…
Read MoreTechnical Packs Can Be Cheaper Alternative To Traditional Pack
Q: I use a tote box for my gear because I can’t afford a backpack, but it doesn’t fit in my troop’s tents. What do I do? — Henry, Greenwood, Indiana A: First, kudos on your resourcefulness. Second, you’re going to have to be a little more resourceful, because it’s impractical to drag around a…
Read MoreExtreme Makeovers, Round 36: Eagle Scout project before-and-after photos
This is the 36th in an occasional series where I share Eagle Scout project before-and-after photos. See the complete collection here and submit your own here. COVID-19 note: Some of these Eagle projects were completed before the pandemic, meaning the photos may not necessarily depict coronavirus-related health and safety protocols. To fully understand the impact Eagle Scout…
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