Snow Camping Tips
Just because winter is almost in full swing doesn’t mean you can’t go camping outdoors anymore. Whether you’re in search of great cross-country skiing, or a perfect winter sunrise from the top of a snowy peak, snow camping is often the perfect way to get you there. Though camping in the snow can be a little frightening, with a little preparation and a few pro tips, a winter’s night, or two outside may... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2018-12-28
Daydreaming
Admit it: you, like me and several million other Americans, are daydreaming about winning the MegaMillions(TM) lottery game of chance, with its first-place winnings of.... 1 BILLION DOLLARS! (you have to say...or think... ONE (pause) BILLION (pause) DOLLARS! ) That's an awfully large amount of money. So let's put this into context. No, I am not going to tell you that your or my chances of winning this large amount of cash are... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2018-12-24
Behind the Unit numbers
Who determines the unit numbers for Cub Scout Packs, Scout Troops, Venturing Crews and Sea Scout Ships? Are the numbers significant? Why is there so much “loyalty” to a set of numbers – after all, it’s not a mascot, or a city or state name, or even a part of town. It’s just a set of numbers, right? Four years ago, Jim Kangas, a Unit Commissioner and volunteer in one of the local Councils... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2018-12-21
Apostle Islands Area in Wintertime
I always wanted to go visit the northern lakes area in the wintertime, but so far I have not made it. Sometime after the 1st of the year, Lake Superior may freeze over solid enough for people to walk along the coast. If it does freeze over this year (usually the end of February) then you will be able to seeintricately carved sea caves in cliffs along the Mainland Unit of Apostle Islands National... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2018-12-17
Best of Insanescouter Teamwork
We all know that teamwork promotes creativity and increases the overall productivity of an organization. While this is true, there are many unsaid challenges faced by every team which can really make the whole experience of working as a team frustrating. When Scouts engage in an activity that requires them to work together in order to satisfy an objective, team building comes into play. Many of the Scout Skill Challenges, as well as many of... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2018-12-14
Neckers
Stop and think! When you think of a Scout, what does your mind's eye see? A youth wearing a scarf? Probably… What It's CalledWhether it's called a scarf, a necker, a neckerchief, or, in Spanish, a pañoleta, it is a major part of the uniform of Scouts of all levels in more than 100 countries of the world. On a visit to Nuestra Cabaña, the World Association of Girl Guides and Scouts' center... [More]
By: Dean Whinery On: 2018-12-10
Advice for a new BSA professional
BSA Image by Patrick Adams(The image above is of Christine Salisbury, Program Director for the Mid-America Council. It was taken when she was a District Executive and visited the BSA's National Center whereby she got to sit behind the Chief Scout Executive's desk. A graduate of Kansas State University with a master’s degree in architecture, she was a Venturing Silver Award recipient. ) In locating possible articles for the now-discontinued American Scouting Digest... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2018-12-07
Reverence=Respect?
Reverence=Respect? A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others. Our character is determined by the things we worship. If we respect ourselves and our brothers and sisters and see them as gifts of the goodness of God, we live on a high plane. The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no person can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2018-12-03
Reverence in Scouting
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By: InsaneScouter On: 2018-11-26
A visit with neighbors
During the past month, I was privileged to attend the activities of our neighbors to the south, Scouts de México. One Saturday a Grupo of Scouts was holding a recruiting event in Calvillo, Aguascalientes. A "Grupo" is like a family consisting of a Manada de Lobatos (Cub Pack), Tropa (Troop) de Scouts, a Communidad de Caminantes (Venturing Crew), and Clan of Rovers, all with the same number and pañoleta (neckerchief). Rovers are young adults, 18-22,... [More]
By: Dean Whinery On: 2018-11-19