Fire & Scouts
Stock photo from Photobucket I have an officemate, several years older than me. Jere Matty is a retired Air Force pilot, engineer, and currently, the "one who teaches" our Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (or STEM) lab and center at Arnold Air Force Base. Since both are interested in the same things -- getting young people to explore opportunities here at Arnold -- we frequently exchange notes, resources and information.After all, that's what officemates do.... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-07-20Wide Game
Spark image provided by Arrowman and Scouter William Pettigrew (a "wide game" is one in which participants are randomly given some item, a card, puzzle piece, or placard for instance, and are directed to go around and collect all of the other parts or pieces (or collect the entire set of cards). Once all pieces or cards are collected, the participants return together to a central point to receive a prize. The real prize, however,... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-07-16Quincy and Getting them All
Merit badges are earned by Scouts working with a registered merit badge counselor, someone who works or has experience in the topic area and desires to share his or her experiences, knowledge and training with a Scout (and a buddy). There are specific requirements for each badge, which are not just "write this down" or "tell me what the book or I've said to you," but rather "do," "show," "demonstrate," "find," "prepare," "play," or... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-07-13Gyms of Scouting
Image by Thomas B. from Pixabay I remember when I was in Cub Scouts and Webelos, and we always had our Pack meetings in the gym of my elementary school. That usually worked out well, especially when there would be some physical activity that was a part of the Pack meeting, like Dodgeball (yup, that’s how old I am). According to Wikipedia, a gymnasium, also known as a gym, is a covered location for athletics.... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2020-07-09National Parks and Isle Royale
I had a chance to go to Isle Royal National Park during the summer of 2008. My youngest son and I had a few days off and decided we would spend a day touring the island. We boarded the Isle Royale Queen IV, which was a 100-foot long ship that would take us 56 miles across Lake Superior. The trip was supposed to take three and ½ hours, but a storm had blown across the... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2020-07-06The Value of "All that Scout crap"
Facebook image by Nick Owen My mother and several of my friends (mostly males) all asked me the same question as I was growing up. As a young Scoutmaster, I was asked that same question by parents who were interested in Boy Scouting but wondered out loud, "what will he get out of this?" Black and Latino families ask that same question when I go to communities of color and introduce and explain Scouting to... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-06-29You know you love Scouting...Why are you hiding it?
Fire image by Mike Walton (This was written in 2002 before my unit, and I was deployed to Kuwait and later to Iraq as part of the U.S. Central Command. The message has not changed and is still important, however!)Hey, Scouters!For those who did not "catch the clue," I've been serving as Exercise Director of the last Public Affairs Nationwide exercise. Next year, "Info Strike 03" will take place, and I will be handing off... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-06-225 Scout'struction Ideas
Image by Van Huy Bui from Pixabay Do you wonder what Cub’struction is? Basically, it's having cub scouts construct something--anything--out of everyday household items. Here are five really cool projects you can do with your Scouts, whether you’re at home or attending a den meeting. All five of these cub’structions can be made from things that almost all of us have in common use around the house. We will start by making a hat out... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2020-06-15Find a Need
Cortney Grosz provided the images for me...thanks! I collect, trade, and sell a lot of various Scouting items. The things I tend to keep are tied to my membership and service in several locations as a volunteer. I also keep things which tie my military service -- as a combat Signaleer, personnel manager, and public affairs manager/director/stick arranger -- to my Scouting service as a mentor, counselor, committee member, and supporter. For instance, I have... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2020-06-08What do I want to be when I grow up?
Have you ever thought of what it might be like to be part of a medical trauma unit working in an emergency room? What about being an automation engineer at a cereal factory? What about getting to see firsthand what it's like to be a fireman who is going to respond to a blazing fire somewhere in your city? We thought it would be useful to you to provide a list of potential field trips... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2020-06-01