Scouts Keep the Flames Small and Sane
Scouts and fire go together. We cook over it, gather around it, tell stories beside it, and teach young people how to use it safely.But here in northern Nevada, fire has been less than romantic lately.As I write this on August 16, the Bug Fire north of Reno has burned more than 94,000 acres, while the Stallion Fire has burned more than 40,000. Both have been identified as human-caused. Homes have been lost, people evacuated,... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2026-08-17
The Pack in the Corner
“Billy!” Mom yells from the hallway, staring at the lumpy backpack slouched in the corner like it has given up on society. “Why is this smelly pack still sitting here from camp a month ago? I think it is time I just throw it out. My nose cannot survive opening it for you.”A thirteen-year-old blur races in from the other room. “Mom, wait! I am here!”Billy grabs the pack like he is rescuing a small... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2026-08-10
The Ants Found the Crumb
Tiny black ants have taken over my house. The kind that appear from nowhere, ignore every reasonable request to leave, ignore the eviction notice, and march across the floor like little smart vacuums with six legs and no respect for property lines. Everyone I have talked to within about an hour of me seems to be fighting them this year too. Apparently the ants held a council meeting and agreed to be everyone’s problem.They have... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2026-08-03
The Pen in Mr. Harris’s Pocket
The Scout sat down on the edge of the old picnic table outside the camp office, kicking one dusty shoe at the dirt.Mr. Harris, the camp commissioner, looked over from his clipboard. He had the kind of face that made you think he had seen every kind of camp problem at least twice, including the one involving the canoe, the raccoon, and the missing pudding cups.@keyframes floatImg{0%,100%{transform:translateY(0)}50%{transform:translateY(-8px)}}“You look like your tent just folded itself,” he... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2026-07-27
The Blue Bucket
All of us gathered near the creek at the edge of camp, Scouts and leaders both, not really sure why we had been called over. Mr. Bill, our Scoutmaster, picked up the blue bucket without saying anything and carried it to the water. He tipped it slowly, letting the stones slide out with little splashes and clunks until they piled up in the shallow current.Then he grabbed the red bucket and did the same thing.... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2026-07-20The Campfire Is Still Burning, But the A/C Is Dead
WackyScouter is still moving along, but real life has been doing that thing where it makes the patrol box throw up its contents and then asks why the spoons are not put away and organized yet. The campfire keeps everyone together—even when the AC gives up..featured-visual{ max-width:820px; margin:35px auto; border-radius:18px; overflow:hidden; position:relative; box-shadow:0 18px 45px rgba(0,0,0,.18); transition:all .45s ease; animation:floatImage 5s ease-in-out infinite;}.featured-visual img{ display:block; width:100%; height:auto; transition:transform .6s ease, filter .6s ease;}.featured-visual::before{ content:''; position:absolute;... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2026-07-13
Maybe Adventure Was the Present
My birthday was July 1st, so this time of year always makes me a little reflective. Not because summer is my favorite season. It is not. I am more of a winter and Christmas person myself. Summer in the Southwest can feel like being inside an easy bake oven, from sunrise to sunset. But when I was a Scout, I often ended up around camp or on some kind of trip near my birthday and... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2026-07-06
Let the Plan Breathe
A plan matters in Scouting. Without one, a meeting can quickly become six Scouts, one half-empty glue bottle, a missing rope, and an adult wondering how the snack table became the main event.Plans give us structure. They help us gather supplies, think through safety, set expectations, and give the group somewhere to begin. A good plan is a kindness to the Scouts, the leaders, and everyone who has ever stood in a parking lot asking,... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2026-06-29The Great Patrol Box Disaster
The sound of boots pounding on dirt echoed through camp as the patrol came running back from their hike. There were giggles, heavy breathing, and the proud stomping of Scouts who had clearly survived something dramatic, such as walking uphill for almost twelve whole minutes, but will claim it was miles. The raccoons heard them first. Three masked heads popped up from behind the picnic table. A squirrel froze halfway up a pine... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2026-06-23
Water Buddy & The Wobbly Scout Who Didn't Have One
Somewhere after evening flags, but before dinner, the Wilderness Survival class started their hike up the hill. No, not to fetch a pail of water, but rather for their overnight part of the class.Years ago, I worked summer camp staff at a camp here in the Southwest. I staffed that camp four different summers, and the last two times I was the Scoutcraft area director. That also meant I had a staff two-way radio, which... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2026-06-16