Changes in 2012 to the Boy Scout Advancement Requirements
The 2012 Boy Scout Requirements Book (33216 - SKU 34765) is now available in Scout Shops and online from Scoutstuff.org. The book contains revised wording of one requirement for each of two Boy Scout Ranks (Second Class and Eagle), changes to the wording of some requirements for 14 merit badges (Archery, Astronomy, Athletics, Bugling, Camping, Climbing, Fly-Fishing, Graphic Arts, Hiking, Motorboating, Music, Personal Fitness, Scouting Heritage, and Woodwork) and the requirements for 3 new merit... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2012-02-07Camp Gadgets Video
I was surfing through YouTube and I found the following video and I just had to share it. They talk about a neat set of collapsing cup and bowls. They also review a lightweight set of aeronautical steel silverware, small bottles, and much more.... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2012-02-02Tip #204: Games (Other) People Play
Call it tunnel vision or call it arrogance, but many of us in Scouting assume that we’re the only people in the world who take kids camping or cook in Dutch ovens or lead silly games. And so we fail to discover some great non-Scouting resources that can improve the programs we offer. Take the games we play at troop meetings. Church youth groups all over the country also play games, and many of... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2012-02-01When you walk through woods
While at a poetry met up with a friend I came across this poem on the web and wanted to share it. When you walk through the woods, I want you to see ... The floating gold of a bumble bee, Rivers of sunlight, pools of shade Toads tools sleeping in mossy jade A cobweb net with a catch of dew Treetop cones against the blue Dancing flowers, bright green flies And birds that put... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2012-01-26Tip #363: Decide and then Decide
Our troop is looking at weekend court of honor dates in March, and that presents us with a scheduling challenge. You see, we’re in the heart of basketball country, and March is the season for the NCAA tournament, which will undoubtedly feature at least one local team. What’s more, we’re hosting second and third round games here in Louisville. That makes the last three weekends of the month problematic at best – at least as... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2012-01-24Tip # 203: Shut Up or Pay Up
One of the biggest challenges troops face in developing youth leaders is getting the adults out of the way. If things get the least bit out of hand at a troop meeting, for example, we adults are far too quick to step in, shout “Sign’s up,” restore order – and totally undermine the senior patrol leader’s authority.Unfortunately, nobody has figure out a way to fix the problem – until now. I have an idea that... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2012-01-23Go Bag
A "Go Bag" is a bag which is prepacked for use in case the worst happens. Let’s say there is a wild fire, an earthquake, a tornado, etc., and you have to evacuate your house on short notice. You only have moments to vacate - what do you take, how long will it take you to gather it up, where is everything? This is where your Go Bag comes into play, because it... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2012-01-20Teddy Bear
Did you have a special "teddy" in your life? Do you know how they came to be called Teddy bears? Awhile back I was watching a kids movie called "First Dog" and in that movie is a scene that tells the following "Teddy bear" story - but with slight errors. What follows is based on my research and I believe to be historically correct: Just over one hundred years ago President Roosevelt was on a... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2012-01-13Progress Toward Living On The
Recently a friend was asking me about my progress toward becoming a nomad and living on the road full time. As many of you know this has been a dream of mine for many, many years and I have been working toward the dream for an equal amount of time. The answer is, simply, that I am making steady progress and have all the "hows" worked out. The same problem that has been vexing me... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2012-01-12Tip #362: Too Much Information
TMI (“too much information”) is a common refrain on sites like Facebook where people are all too willing to share, well, too much information about their personal lives. But TMI can be a problem when you’re planning an Eagle court of honor – or, more precisely – when you’re working on the event’s printed program.Assuming you’re using standard program covers, which are 8½" x 11" and fold in half, there’s only so much space... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2012-01-09