Scouting Articles (most recent first)
How to Clean Your Pocketknife
Q: I use my pocketknife almost daily, and it gets so dirty. How can I stop that? — Noah, Winston-Salem, North Carolina A: Unfortunately, there isn’t a special treatment to constantly keep everything clean. Instead, set aside a little time after each use to clean your knife. Keeping your blades clean and sharp should maintain…
Read MoreWhat’s Better: Mittens or Gloves?
Q: What’s better: mittens or gloves? — William, New York, New York A: That’s up to your preference and the activity planned. Gloves allow for more dexterity; mittens tend to be warmer by keeping your fingers together. A more important question: Does it fit? Because that’s key to staying warm. Too big and the insulation…
Read MoreApollo 17 astronaut encourages Scouts to expand their knowledge
Before Harrison Schmitt explored the moon in 1972, he explored the outdoors with his pack and troop in Silver City, N.M. “That beginning experience was extremely important to me,” he says. “It developed social skills, working with people your own age, and it helped in outdoor life — adding greatly to the skills learned from…
Read MoreDennis Grubb, Eagle Scout and one of the first Peace Corps volunteers, dies at 80
W. Dennis Grubb, an Eagle Scout who in 1961 joined the first wave of Peace Corps volunteers before continuing to serve the less fortunate around the world throughout his life, died on Oct. 25. He was 80. Grubb was born in 1941 in Allentown, Pa., and was raised in Westport, Conn., where in 1955 he became…
Read MoreHow to Use Rope Tackle to Move a Log
Rope tackle allows you to move a large load with a small amount of force. It works on the same principle as using ropes and pulleys for lifting or hauling loads. Here’s how to set up rope tackle to move a log. For best results, you’ll want to use a strong rope that doesn’t stretch…
Read MoreEagle Scout’s global flag collection helps him grow closer to neighbors
Pat Baldwin’s flag-flying hobby started in a pretty standard way: with the 50 stars and 13 stripes of Old Glory flowing in the breeze on the left side of his garage door. Then one day — May 2, to be exact — Baldwin added a flag to the right side of his garage door. It was…
Read More‘Gus’ illustrator, 95, honored at Connecticut Yankee Council camporee
If you look closely through the January 1970 issue of Boys’ Life (now Scout Life) magazine, you’ll find something pretty remarkable. We’re not talking about the cover story, though we have to admit, that one, about a California high school basketball team that won 57 games in row, is a pretty fascinating piece. (The streak…
Read MoreTake a look at Scout Life’s virtual Chess Fest: Watch it all here!
For years you’ve been telling us you and your Scouts are really – like really – into chess. And we heard you loud and clear. This month, the Scout Life team brought you chess experts, tips to improve your game, giveaways from Scout Shop and a DIY chess set how-to. Our Facebook audience even worked…
Read MoreStay Warm and Dry This Winter With These Gear Tips
Whatever your winter activity, staying warm requires finding the right combination of layers. The specific layers depend on your body, the temperature, wind speeds and how much you sweat. BASIC TIPS FOR STAYING COMFORTABLE IN THE COLD MOVE. Clothing does not produce heat; it only traps the heat your body produces. If you feel cold,…
Read MoreEagle project fundraising tips from a Scout whose project cost nearly $40,000
Scouting doesn’t just prepare young people for the real world. It is the real world. A prime example of this is found in the Eagle Scout service project — the pinnacle of the journey to the highest rank in Scouts BSA. An Eagle project isn’t a simulation. It’s a chance for a Scout to use every…
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