Scouting Articles (most recent first)
SPL of 143-member troop shares 10 tips for leading a troop during the pandemic — and beyond
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…
Read MoreAn Important Milestone In The BSA’s Chapter 11 Case
Dear Scouting Family, This past year demonstrated that the Boy Scouts of America’s mission is more important than ever before, and I look to the future with hope. The entire Scouting community showed impressive perseverance, leadership, and commitment to the mission. I thank you all for showing up for Scouting each and every day. It has been just over a year since the…
Read MoreCub Scout’s gesture gave her hope when she was homeless
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…
Read MorePressing on (not pause): 7 pandemic-era recruiting strategies proven to work
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…
Read MoreHow to Throw a Tomahawk and Hit a Target
Tomahawk throwing can be a rigorous yet rewarding activity. The secret to throwing tomahawks is “lots of practice and follow-through,” according to Life Scout Claudia Mattingly. To properly throw a tomahawk, stand several paces from your target. Grab the tomahawk at the bottom of the handle like you’re shaking someone’s hand. Face your target. When…
Read MoreReach more people with Country Meats’ new fundraising method
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…
Read MoreRoad test: Can you figure out the Scouting message in this license plate number?
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…
Read MoreNoah Harris, Harvard’s student body president, is an Eagle Scout
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…
Read MoreThe colorful connection between the BSA and Dennis the Menace
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…
Read More2020 merit badge rankings: A list rewritten by the pandemic
Scouts found safe ways to camp in 2020, helping the Camping merit badge remain in the top 10. But all that time spent at home with families helped a new merit badge become No. 1. (BSA file photo) The pandemic didn’t stop Scouts from earning merit badges in 2020, but it did cause a dramatic…
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