Returning to the Summit
After two weeks at the National Scout Jamboree, I’m finally getting used to hot-water showers and a real bed again!Although it was not without its challenges, the Jamboree was a great event, and it showed the potential of the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia as a major new high-adventure destination. Programming at SBR will be very different from programming at the BSA’s other high-adventure bases, however.First, the trips will be shorter (just one week),... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2014-06-05Minute Judging - Eagle Tip
One of my favorite impromptu Scout games is minute judging. It works like this: Everyone sits on the floor, and a judge with a stopwatch shouts “Go!” Without looking at their watches, the Scouts stand up when they think a minute is passed. Some pop up after 30 seconds; others wait much longer than a minute. The winner, of course, is the Scout who gets up the closets to the one-minute mark. So what does... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2014-06-03Special Need Scouts
Todays post comes to us thanks to the great folks at the Scout-L mailing list. Bob Carlson started it off with this post:This article was FRONT PAGE on the St. Louis newspaper this morning, forwarded from our Special Needs Scouts Coordinator. It's the can do, rather than the can't do that counts.http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/troop-offers-haven-for-scouts-who-won-t-give-up/article_2d646403-e9ea-54d3-9325-346708adad73.html.... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2014-05-31Guide to Advancement
The Advancement Team (professional) and National Advancement Committee (volunteer) will be doing updates to the education materials going forward, including the approved national advancement trainers, Advancement News articles, the advancement webinars and many other resources.For those who have concerns about merit badges, go see the changes to section 7 - quite a few changes that will address the most egregious issues. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf I found this to be an interesting rant that goes hand in hand... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2014-05-29Thanks for the Memories
Last week in the mail, I received a nice surprise: a postcard from three Scouts in Milford, Pa., who’d used my book, The Eagle Court of Honor Book, to plan their court of honor. You can see the front of the card at the right.That card made me think of all the people an Eagle Scout might want to thank after his court of honor: the emcee, other presenters, the people who planned the reception,... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2014-05-27Why Your Son Should Be A Scout Video
I recently came across this cool marketing video from BSA. It talks about how sports are great, but parents shouldn't overlook the enriching life-long benefits resulting from being a Scout. Check it out, I bet it could help with your recruiting efforts. ... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2014-05-24NATIONAL JAMBOREE
The National Scout Jamboree (Boy Scouts of America) is a gathering, or a jamboree of thousands of members of the Boy Scouts of America, usually held every four years and organized by the national council of the Boy Scouts of America. The jamboree is operated more like a world scout jamboree with sub camps that promoted maximum interaction.The New River Gorge is famous for its awesome mountain biking trails. The 2013 National Scout Jamboree will... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2014-05-22This Takes the Cake
The highlight of many courts of honor is the reception. That’s not (necessarily) a criticism of the ceremony. It’s just an acknowledgement that many people enjoy socializing and reuniting with old friends while they munch on sinfully delicious desserts.Those desserts typically include a simple sheet cake, but simple is definitely optional these days. Thanks in part to TV shows like “Cake Boss,” more and more families are creating fun and elaborate cakes that will leave... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2014-05-20Fuzzy's Salmon Burgers with Lime Mayonnaise
It is your furry friend Fuzzy here. Scott asked me to share my favourite salmon recipes with you. Of course I can't tell you all my secrets, but I will share this one with you. As it is summer it means BBQ time and also burgers. Now what is nicer than a nice salmon burger with lime mayonaise? Nothing right. Although Scout disagrees and says a nice cup of coco. Anyway it made me hungry,... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2014-05-17Camp Staff signing rank requirements
I am sure many of have had experiences with Summer Camp staff signing off advancement requirements without fully meeting everything they are suppose to. I know this is especially true with trail to first class, but also to a lesser degree with many merit badges. Of course how bad and wide spread the problem is depends on the council, camp, and year.(below written by Bruce McCrea Scout-L)Boy Scout summer camps often assign their most inexperienced... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2014-05-15