Posts Tagged ‘Brian On Scouting’

If you had to pick just one point of the Scout Law to describe Isaiah V., it would be “brave.” That same word applies to his mom and dad, too. Isaiah was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at age 3. “At first I thought, ‘what are we going to do?’” says Isaiah’s dad, Rolando. “Our world was turned…

You need just three ingredients to guide a Star Scout or Life Scout along the path to Eagle: pizza, soft drinks and conversation. Bob Czekanski has been there, tried that. And Troop 1 in Bolton, Mass. (part of the Nashua Valley Council) is better for it. Here’s his secret recipe. Decelerating toward Eagle Guys in Troop 1 used to…

Accidents are quite rare in Scouting. But when one does occur, it probably didn’t happen while camping. It likely didn’t involve backpacking, canoeing or climbing, either. The majority of Scouting accidents happen on the way to or from Scouting activities. They happen on the road. As a Scout leader responsible for driving Scouts or Venturers to Scouting activities, you should do…

In many cities and towns, the mission to grow Scouting begins at schools. That’s where lots of young people first learn about the Cub Scout packs and Boy Scout troops of which their classmates are members. The alignment is natural and robust. Scouting and schools emphasize civics, preparedness and service to the community. Ready to strengthen the relationship between Scouting…

Philmont is a land of starlit skies, aspen-covered hills and wind in whisp’ring pines. That’s how John Westfall, who wrote “The Philmont Hymn,” described the Scouting paradise in New Mexico. Westfall was a teenager in 1945 when he wrote the song. He had just finished a Philmont trip, and the beauty of this hiking high-adventure base inspired him. Seven decades later, everyone…

Ever since he was in Cub Scouts, Blake Deaton knew he wanted his Eagle Scout service project to help students with special needs. Students like his twin brother, Shane, who is autistic and legally blind. So when he became a Life Scout, Blake approached Savanna Hersh, Shane’s special-needs teacher. He asked Hersh (seen with Blake in the photo…

Somewhere along the way, we forgot what Memorial Day is all about. The last Monday in May is still the day where we honor men and women who died in service to our country. But now it’s being crowded out by trips to the lake, family cookouts and mattress sales. It is, perhaps, best known as the unofficial start…

Some have names you know: Robert Baden-Powell, Charles Lindbergh, Hank Aaron. Others are Scouters whose names are less universally known but whose impact on Scouting has been just as transformative. Their common bond: the Silver Buffalo Award — the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor for adult volunteers. It has been presented since 1926 for devoted service to Scouting on a national…

If the best things in life are free, what happened over the weekend is basically the best thing ever. The No. 19 Boy Scouts of America race car finished third in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 — the biggest racing event of the year. The top-three finish means millions of people saw the car’s red, white and blue paint scheme…

Eagle Scout Alex Sims is all about helping other people. He participates in Scouting for Food drives. He volunteers to clean up his school and his community.  And each month, he and some buddies head to the library to teach science to younger students. But the service project closest to Alex’s heart is the not-for-profit organization he started…