The Spirit of Labor in Scouting
Greeting Scouters, With Labor Day upon us, I’ve been thinking about what “labor” really means. Sure, it’s about work — the jobs we do to keep food on the table and roofs over our heads. But at its heart, labor is really about service. It’s the way we trade our time, our skills, and our energy to help others, and in turn, we receive what we need to survive. In Scouting, we see this every... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2025-09-01
Even Slow Weeks Move Us Forward
Greeting Scouters, I thought this week I would offer a bit of a life update, to be a bit different. This past week has been a bit slow and off for me. My energy and focus were running low, and if I’m honest, I felt a little defeated. Running a business is hard enough, but add in permanent mental hurdles and the challenges multiply fast. On top of that, I haven’t been able to get... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2025-08-26
From Hot Glue to Hugs: Our Afternoon Making
body { font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0; padding: 0; } .container { max-width: 100%; padding: 20px; } h1, h2 { color: #333; } ul { list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 20px; } a { color: #007bff; text-decoration: none; } a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } img { display: block; margin-bottom: 1rem; } Summary We spent an afternoon turning a pile of felt, stuffing, and thread into “Ele”... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2025-08-21
One Step After Another
This week I’ve been sitting with a simple reminder: don’t let the unknowns of tomorrow steal today’s flow.We all know how easy it is to get caught in the “what ifs” — what if the weather ruins camp, what if the Scouts forget their gear, what if this whole meeting turns into chaos. Before we know it, tomorrow’s worries rob us of the energy we could be using right now.Instead, I’ve been practicing the same... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2025-08-18
Redirection Comes in Many Forms
Sometimes, when the chaos reaches a peak, a firm "Hey!" or even a sharp noise gets everyone's attention. Other times, a whisper works better. "What's going on? How can I help?" It's not about one magic trick—it’s about presence, awareness, and meeting the moment where it is.As Scout leaders, we’ve all been there:A patrol dissolves into bickering over firewood.A Scout is testing every boundary in the book.The volume level hits full summer camp chaos.But here’s... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2025-08-05
Campfire Cooking for Wacky Chefs: Tasty, Silly, and Super Fun!
Hey Wacky Scouters!Do you love yummy food? Do you enjoy campfires? Do you like getting a little messy in the name of deliciousness? Then welcome to the Wacky Campfire Kitchen, where the food is hot, the chefs are wild, and the recipes are so easy even your pet squirrel could help (okay, not really—please don’t let squirrels cook)! Recipe #1: Banana Boats Ingredients: Banana, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows Steps: -Peel one side of a banana, but leave... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2025-07-18
What Did I Wish I Knew as an Adult New to Cub Scouting?
Embarking on the Cub Scout journey as an adult can feel like stepping into a vibrant new world—a place where the compass points toward adventure, camaraderie, growth, and, yes, a fair bit of organized chaos. When I first joined the ranks of Cub Scouting, I brought with me enthusiasm and a willingness to help—but not much else in the way of prior experience.What I quickly discovered is that Cub Scouting is not a spectator sport.... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2025-06-16
No-BS insights from a fellow Scout leader.
Scott here, checking in from the virtual campfire. Hope your week's been staying full and fun, unlike my old air mattress that went flat halfway through the night.This week, let's ponder being "Trustworthy." It sounds simple, right? Like, "don't lie" or "do what you say." Basic stuff for life, for sure.But when you're hanging out with the Scouts, or even just navigating your own busy week, "Trustworthy" really starts to stretch its muscles. It's not... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2025-06-10Gear Up and Go: A Scout’s Summer Adventure Awaits
Hey Scouters,It’s that time of year again—summer is just around the corner, and that means one thing: adventure! I can practically smell the campfire smoke and feel the warm breeze on my face already. There’s just something magical about the summer months, when Scouts get to explore the world outside, discover new skills, and maybe even get a little muddy while doing it.Whether it’s heading off to summer camp, spending a weekend under the stars... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2025-06-01
Every Scout Counts: Leading with Heart, Not Just the Handbook
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to truly say, “Every Scout counts.” And not just as a slogan — but really live it, in our meetings, our outings, our decision-making. Every person matters — no matter their age, experience, skill level, beliefs, or even if they have a disability that makes certain activities harder. If they’re showing up, trying, learning, and growing… they count. Sometimes I wonder if, as leaders, one... [More]
By: Sapna Kanda On: 2025-05-26