SM tips - Robot Merit Badge
Scouting's newest merit badge, Robotics, debuted this week, just in time for National Robotics Week. It made quite a splash, too. Hundreds of newspapers ran a wire-service story about it, and the merit-badge pamphlet even showed up in lights in New York's Times Square. Robotics is being billed as the first interactive merit badge. At http://boyslife.org/section/about-scouts/merit-badge-resources/robotics/, your Scouts can find extensive resources to help them earn the badge. Robotics is just one aspect of the... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2011-09-10SM tips - Beyond the Usual Suspects
At our last troop committee meeting, our Scoutmaster announced that he's ready to step down. He has done a great job in his four years or so at the helm, but he has also traveled the path from on fire to burned out. Three names immediately surfaced as likely replacements, but then someone suggested one of our 20-something Eagle Scouts as a possible candidate. And that got me to thinking about another of our... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2011-09-08Eagle Tips: Scout Surge 9/11
Sept. 1 marks the first day of Scout Surge 9/11, a blitz of service projects and other activities designed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2011. Troops across the country are holding flag-retirement ceremonies, participating in community events, and gathering to watch the film “New York Says Thank You,” which tells the story of New York City first responders. (The film has a special Scouting connection because some of... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2011-09-04SM Tip - Social Media and Scouting
In Scout troops across the country, Facebook and Twitter have become increasingly important communication tools, often edging out phone trees and email as the most popular ways to send and receive information.For all their benefits, however, social media have their limitations as well. You have to be 13 to sign up for Facebook, for example, and social-media sites create the potential for the sorts of inappropriate adult-to-youth contact that would never be acceptable in the... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2011-09-03SM Tip - Belt Them in the Car
If you're the typical Boy Scout leader, your kids are probably long past the car-seat stage, but that doesn't mean that you don't need to be aware of safety issues related to kids and cars. Earlier this year, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued new guidelines that could have a direct bearing on how troops transport kids. Two longstanding rules still apply: everyone buckles up and kids under 13 ride solely in the backseat.... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2011-09-01Here We Grow Again!
Hi readers! Please enjoy the following post sent to us by guest blogger Skipper Bob. If you are or were a Sea Scout, please speak up! I would really like to hear more from and about this section of Scouting. If you are a Sea Scout then you are one of the luckiest people in Scouting! Why? Sea Scouts have the opportunity to celebrate in a second Centennial Celebration. That's right! Last year we celebrated... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2011-08-31SM Tip - A Shot at Greatness
In the midst of March Madness-when all the world seems obsessed with college basketball-I had the chance to speak to a world-class athlete in a less-familiar sport: shotgun shooting. The athlete is Jon Michael McGrath, and he and the other members of USA Team Gold just tied a world record in men's skeet in Concepcion, Chile. The feat was impressive, but it was just one more accomplishment for the young Olympic hopeful, who began winning... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2011-08-27Hurricane (or other natural disaster) Survival Kit
With the earthquake we on the East coast had the other day and the tremors we continue to experience, plus hurricane Irene bearing down on us, I think maybe a post on basic survival kits might be prudent. The following article comes from the great Weather Channel and lists things that should be included in a hurricane survival kit. If you live in an area that will be affected by these storms please take... [More]
By: Jennifer Fletcher On: 2011-08-26Make Your Own Hot Cocoa Mix
I recently stumbled across this recipe while web surfing and I just had to share it. It never occurred to me to make my own powdered cocoa mix and now I can. This would also make a nice holiday gift, placed in a Mason jar and decorated with a nice ribbon and a homemade gift tag.3/4 C. cocoa1/2 t salt1 quart powdered milkdry sugar substitute equal to 1 1/2 C. sugar Optional: Mexican Cocoa: add... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2011-08-2535 Uses For Paracord
Wikipedia says the following about paracord (slightly edited):Parachute cord (also called paracord or 550 cord) is a lightweight, nylon rope originally used in the suspension lines of US parachutes during World War II. Once in the field, paratroopers found this cord useful for many other tasks. It is now used as a general purpose utility cord by both military personnel and civilians. This versatile cord was even used by astronauts during STS-82, the second Space... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2011-08-23