Posts Tagged ‘Brian On Scouting’
Can a Scout complete his Eagle board of review after 18?
Let’s say there’s a Boy Scout who has completed all the requirement for the Eagle Scout rank. He finished the merit badges, service project, active participation, Scout spirit, position of responsibility and unit leader conference. But he still lacks one step: the Eagle Scout board of review. And then — Happy Birthday! — he turns 18. He’s no…
Read MoreEverywhere you look, enthusiasm for the Welding merit badge is heating up
Troop 387, like all the best Boy Scout troops, is youth-led. The adults are there for support and safety. So when the Scouts from Kingsport, Tenn., decided they wanted to earn the Welding merit badge, the adults simply said, “sounds good, how can we help?” Help came from the good folks at Lincoln Electric. The Cleveland-based manufacturer of…
Read MoreWhen boat burst into flames, Scouting helped him save three lives (including his own)
For Dick Williams, the decisive moment came during a casual fishing trip on the Long Island Sound. In the distance, Williams and his cousin watched as a 40-foot clam boat burst into flames. The fire started in the cabin and was spreading fast. The men could call 911 and wait for the Coast Guard or someone else…
Read MoreThis airbrushed Boy Scout troop trailer is a literal work of art
The coolest thing to hit the streets of central Ohio isn’t a flashy sports car or tricked-out truck. It’s Troop 510’s new trailer. Michael Brooks created the airbrushed design. Brooks is one of the adult volunteers with the New Concord, Ohio, troop and its associated Venturing Crew 510. The troop and crew are part of the Muskingum Valley…
Read More10 leadership lessons from LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer
Steve Ballmer, owner of the NBA’s LA Clippers, was a special guest at the Greater Los Angeles Area Council’s Business Leaders’ Breakfast last month. During his remarks, which you can watch in full below, Ballmer offered several nuggets of wisdom about leadership. Wearing a green BSA ballcap when he came onstage, Ballmer was his usual engaging…
Read MoreThe three-pot method: This is how to wash dishes at a campsite
Wash, sanitize, rinse. With the three-step dishwashing system, you can finish camp dishes in no time. That means you’re back to having fun faster. Here’s how to wash dishes at a campsite, courtesy of the BSA Fieldbook (pages 91-92). What you’ll need A dishwashing spot that’s at least 200 feet from any sources of water Hot water (Pro…
Read MoreHow to create a budget for your pack, troop or crew
Once you and your Scouts have planned a year of Scouting fun, it’s time for the less-fun part. It’s time to figure out how to pay for it all. Creating a budget for your pack, troop, team, post, ship or crew is an essential part of every well-managed, well-financed unit. Asking families for money every week is…
Read MoreTop 5 merit badges for when you’re waiting for April the giraffe to give birth
The internet has fallen in love with April, a pregnant 15-year-old giraffe living at the Animal Adventure Park near Binghamton, N.Y. A giraffe pregnancy lasts 15 months, and April has been pregnant for 15 months. So it’s time. Time for everyone to spend hours staring at the live video feed of April’s pen, waiting for baby giraffe hooves to appear. I’ve embedded the video…
Read MoreBoy Scout leaders can now get trained anywhere at any time
It’s midnight, you’re in pajamas and you’re sitting on the couch scrolling Facebook on your tablet. Sounds like the perfect time to get trained. With the launch of Scouting U’s eLearning content for Boy Scout leaders, Scouters now can get trained on their own schedule — anywhere, any time. The courses are conveniently organized by role…
Read MoreBSA’s Tour and Activity Plan eliminated
Be prepared to spend less time filling out forms and more time having fun. The Boy Scouts of America has eliminated its Tour and Activity Plan, shifting the focus away from paperwork and toward creating a safe space for Scouts to enjoy the program as designed. The Tour and Activity Plan was a two-page document submitted to your…
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