Scouting Articles (most recent first)
Extreme Makeovers, Round 32: Eagle Scout project before-and-after photos
This is the 32nd 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: Most 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…
Read More9 Things to Know About the Night Sky
Thousands of years ago, ancient astronomers observed the night sky and saw stars bunched together in what they called constellations. In one part of the sky, there was a group of stars that looked like a connect-the-dots lion, and they named it Leo. In another part, they saw stars that looked like a hunter with…
Read MoreHonoring Veterans Day, Boy Scouts of America Expresses Gratitude
In honoring Veterans Day, I offer my profound gratitude on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America to all the men and women who have selflessly served our country as a member of the armed forces. I count myself lucky to have served among this honorable group that I know includes thousands of Scouting volunteers…
Read MoreNorth Carolina Crew 151 shows the transformative power of Venturing
Members of Crew 151 volunteer at Alexandra Santiago’s Eagle Scout project. Alex and her volunteers built an outdoor food pantry, which Crew 151 will keep stocked with food for families struggling with hunger. At the nonprofit Camp Carefree in North Carolina, children with chronic illnesses like cancer, epilepsy and spina bifida are given a free…
Read MoreScouting shapes your future, says retired Army colonel
As Yvonne Lindquist designed her son’s retirement gift — a quilt featuring squares of meaningful moments in his life — one organization quickly came to mind: the Boy Scouts of America. Col. Robert Bertrand of Carlisle, Pa., retired this past summer after nearly 30 years in the U.S. Army. He was an Army Ranger, an…
Read MoreHow to Make a Fuzz Stick to Help Start a Fire
It’s drizzling, and you want to start a fire. Any tinder you gather will likely be too wet, right? Wrong. You can create an effective fire starter, even with a wet piece of wood. Just grab your knife so you can make a “fuzz stick.” The best piece of wood to use is one without…
Read MoreHow to Buy Good Gloves or Mittens for Winter Activities
Serious mountaineers, polar explorers and other adventurers who routinely face extreme cold follow a hard-and-fast rule: Always bring extra gloves, because losing the use of your hands creates a life-threatening situation. You might never encounter such danger, but whatever your outdoor activities, the choice of handwear matters a lot. GLOVES OR MITTENS BUYING TIPS Gloves…
Read More8 Awesome Animals That Got Their Own Statue
Whether fearless or funny, animals throughout history have inspired statues and memorials. Here are some monuments still standing today. Hachikō Hachikō, famous for his loyalty, is memorialized in bronze in Tokyo, Japan. After Hachikō’s owner died in 1925, the dog returned to a train station for years to wait for him. Winnie Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada,…
Read MoreHow to observe Veterans Day with your Scouts
With nearly 22 million veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces living among us, chances are good that at least one of these American heroes is a family member or close friend of you or someone in your Scouting unit. Though these men and women deserve our recognition and thanks every day, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day,…
Read MoreTry this ingenious, inspiring way to end your virtual troop meetings
Riley DuPuy, a Troop 308 Eagle Scout, appeared via Zoom to share photos and stories from a trip with his wife to Glacier National Park where they rescued a fellow hiker. At long last, a cure for Zoom fatigue. A troop in Texas now ends each virtual meeting with a special guest: a troop alumnus…
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