InsaneScouter Information

 

Welcome back to another issue of the InsaneScouter. A lot that has happened in the last month.

Our contest winners from last month are

okiegrl
Eaglemaster
mhom

Congratulations to you all drop me an email to claim your prize.

 

The next contest is up for grabs a full year of the ScoutManage.com advancement tracking service. To enter send me an email (news [at] insanescouter.org) with the answer to this trivia question:

What branch of Scouting for older boys became an official part
of the Scouting movement in 1912?

I will pick one winner from those who email me the correct answer.

 

I bet you have noticed a few new things around the site. There is an updated homepage, that is better organized and has more information on it. Also you will notice the “alert bar” that starts off at the top of the page and follows you as your scroll down. This bar will be used for a number of purpose in the future including letting you know when I am working on the site, performing maintenance and any other important messages.

We have a new website called ScouterBooks.com, dedicated to e-books about Scouting. Currently, it has over 100 pow wow books, with more books on the way. If you have any books you think should be added to the site please feel free to drop me a note.

We are always working to add new content, features, and services. Your feedback helps us gauge what will be the most useful and interesting to you. Please take just a few moments, if you have not done so already and fill in our survey at http://insanescouter.org/survey.php?rid={user_id}

 

I would like to thank everyone who in the last month has really picked up the pace in helping make InsaneScouter better. Especially Shawn Romack, who has been instrumental in updating the meta tags on InsaneScouter and loading books onto ScouterBooks.com website. PTSteve for his continual support, comments, and advice on the best ways to move forward with ideas. Lastly, Arctic Fox for ensuring there is always new content on InsaneScouter. Everyone give them a big hand.

New Content

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

God's Bounties

The leader conducts a processional of 10 members to their positions. Each one is assigned a number and takes her position. The leader carries a large lighted candle; the girls carry unlighted ones.  (Each member steps forward and lights her candle from the leader's candle before giving her part in the ceremony.)  Leader: It was a colonial custom to place...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Freedom Opening

  Personnel: Narrator and 6 or more Girl Scouts. Equipment: American flag, tape player, recording (such as America the Beautiful...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Simple Investiture

Simple Investiture CeremonyAsk the girl a simple question: “Why do you want to be a GS?” or “What does it mean to make a promise?” The girl answers in her own words. Ask the girl to make her promise. This can be done singly or the whole troop at once. Help her if she is shy. Ask: “Do you promise to serve God and your country...?” This will help her recall the words. As she makes the Promise, she uses...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Flowers of Friendship Investiture

 The original ceremony appears in “Ceremonies in GSing”, however, this is updated to reflect the recent changes in the GS LawItems needed: Ten groups of flowers, a container to set flowers in, sachets or potpourri for each girl.Introduction:Welcome to our investiture/rededication ceremony. In almost all countries and cultures there are ceremonies to mark important events in life - days of celebration, sad days, joyous days, days on which a special commitment is made,...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Four Freedoms Flag Ceremony

 Materials:1 American Flag                                        Flashlights for girls in troop4 candles                                                  4 Girl Scouts! This is best done in the dark. Four persons stand, each holding a corner of the flag in one hand and a lighted candle in the other.    There is no other light in the room. Narrator: This banner is the emblem of FREEDOM. The color red stands for the bloodthat has been shed by the many heroes down through the years who have fought to preserve...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Flag Flashhlight Ceremony

 Equipment/People Needed:          Narrator (one, or more if your troop is large)          Four Flashlight Bearers (candles may be substituted)          Flag Bearer and Color Guard(s)Color Guard advances with Flag and posts Colors. Lights are turned out so that the room is in total darkness. Flashlight bearers turn on flashlights (or light candles) and direct light toward flag.NARRATOR: “What you see here tonight represents...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Boy Scout

Campfire Ashes

Campfire AshesLegend has it that Baden-Powell would always take a small amount of ashes from the campfire and spread these ashes into the next campfire Ashes taken from a campfire are sprinkled into the flames of the next campfire. The next morning, when the ashes are cold, they are stirred, and each Guide or Scout takes some along to mix with her/his next campfire. If more than one Guide/Scout brings ashes to the same campfire,...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Campfire Ashes

Campfire AshesLegend has it that Baden-Powell would always take a small amount of ashes from the campfire and spread these ashes into the next campfire Ashes taken from a campfire are sprinkled into the flames of the next campfire. The next morning, when the ashes are cold, they are stirred, and each Guide or Scout takes some along to mix with her/his next campfire. If more than one Guide/Scout brings ashes to the same campfire,...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies

History of Taps

Got this from a newsletter website. Thought you might be interested...Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.  During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field.  Not knowing if it was a Union or...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Flag Retirement Ceremony III

When the U.S. Flag becomes tattered or worn, it should be disposed of by burningHere are the basics for a Flag retirement ceremony. Appropriate songs and/or readings may be added. 1. Lower the flag from the pole (or remove it from the staff) and carry it to the fire site.2. Place the stars (as the audience sees them) in the upper left hand corner. This is an appropriate reading to start the ceremony:“Remember...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Flag Retirement Ceremony

These flags have become faded and worn over the graves of our departed comrades and the soldier and sailor dead of all nation's wars. Some of these flags have been displayed in various public places.They have reached their present state in a proper service of tribute, memory and love.A flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze, or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Flag Burning Ceremony

Cut worn flag into five strips.  Roll each strip up separately, place in bag of other contained.  Unroll each strip over flame while speaking.Speaker #1:  a nation's flag is a stirring sight as it flies in the wind. Red is for hardiness and courage.Speaker #2:  white is for purity and innocence.  A country's flag can stir people to joy, to courage, and to sacrifice.Speaker #3:  blue is for vigilance and justice.  Many men and women have died to protect their nation's...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Flag Retirement Ceremony - The men who signed the declaration of independence

Have you ever wondered what happened to the fifty-six men who signed the declaration of independence?Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.Two lost their sons serving in the revolutionary army; another had two sonscaptured.Nine of the fifty-six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war.They signed, and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacredhonor. What sort of...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Flag Retirement Ceremony

Person(s) ----- text or actionAdult leader: the U.S. flag is more than just some brightly colored cloth...It is a symbol of our nation.Scout #1: seven red stripes and six white strips; together they represent the original 13 colonies that gained us liberty.Scout #2: the red stripes remind us of the lifeblood of brave men and women who were ready to die for this, their country.Scout #3: the white stripes remind us of purity and cleanliness of purpose, thought, word and...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Flag Retirement Ceremonies - I am your flag

I am the symbol of the living America, the badge of its greatness, the emblemof its destiny. I am faith. It is I who keep men mindful of their priceless heritage, life,liberty, and the right to pursue happiness. I am hope. I represent the land of promise wherein, already, man's loftiest dreams have approached closer to realization than ever before on this earth. I am life. Each strand and fiber of my being is a memorial, dedicated to thesacrifices of all those strong...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Flag Ceremonies - Intros to pledge

In UnisonThe Pilgrims landed on Plymouth RockThe Spaniards at St. Augustine,And folks of Dutch and Swedish stockAnd some from the Philippines,Here they came! They came from Germany,From Africa and Japan,From Mexico, Cuba and Hungary,From Poland and Ireland.Oh, which ones are Americans?Oh, which ones are our own?Who can we call the native ones?Who should make this land their own?The Irish, Dutch or Africans?The French or Japanese?The Cubans or Hungarians?The Spanish or Chinese?Whenever at a big paradeOur...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Flag Ceremonies

The flag folding ceremony described by the Uniformed Services is a dramatic and uplifting way to honor the flag on special days, like Memorial Day or Veterans Day, and is sometimes used at retirement ceremonies.Here is a typical sequence of the reading: (Begin reading as Honor Guard or Flag Detail is coming forward). The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton...

Home > Newsletter

Newslette - 2010 January

TheJanuary 25, 2010 Please share this newsletter with your Scouting friends. They may sign-up here.   InsaneScouter Information ...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Daisy Girl Scout Investiture

Families should be sent an invitation two weeks before the ceremony. Evening ceremonies aresuggested to give working parents an opportunity to attend. Try to give each girl a kaper such as:2-4 girls in flag ceremony; greet guests at door; hand out programs, and usher guests to seats.Two girls carry yellow DAISY center to middle of stage area - one on each side - six feet or morefrom center. Leader on left could use small table for a bowl of daisies,...

Home > Resources > Ceremonies > Girl Scouts

Candlelighting Flag Ceremony

This is a fun flag ceremony if you are looking for something a little different. There should be decorated table in front of the room with 4 candles on it; one red candle; one white candle, one blue candle and the final large candle with stars glued on it. You will need 5 girls for the speaking parts of the ceremony and at least 4 others, 3 to carry the flag and a Caller.Begin the ceremony with the first 5...

Brought to you by

Ramblings

Fuzzy and Scout Feb 2010
Hi all,It is Fuzzy and Scout here, how are you all? We are fine by the way :PWe are busy following the Olympics, especially the cooooooool events like the snowboarding and bobsledding.Although it is mostly me (Fuzzy) watching on couch...

Multimedia Resources
Many of you know that BSA has many DVDs and CDs available to aid us. Have you ever thought about the thousands of other resources availiable computer software (refer to the open source blog post at http://insanescouter.org/blog/208/Open_Source_Scouting.html), how to videos...

Lessons from the past... Sniffing Koolaid & Trail Toys
After a day of trekking we picked out a camp spot. One of the Scouts started digging around in his pack and the next thing we knew he had produced a thumb skate board with ramp, a palm size dictionary,...

Scouting Stuff
I have been in Scouting in one way or another since 1982 when I first joined a new national program called Tiger Cubs. The photos that follow show the actual Cub Scout uniform I wore, a few of my actual...

Lessons from the past... Rocks in the Pack
When I was a Scout we were on a training backpacking trip. A group of older Scouts repeatly got ahead of the main group by a fair distances. Finally the leaders got tired of it and had us “younger” Scouts...

Knives
Since I was a young Scout when my parents bought me my first knife, I have been collecting them. Some may find this strange but that first knife which was like $2 next to the cash register and was really...

Lessons from the past... Walking Backpack
This is not so much a lesson as it is just an amusing antidote. When I was a Scout we had a kid in the Troop that was a bit small for his age. He was part of our Troop...

Lessons from the past... Corkscrew Dare
On a backpacking trip, during a break the Scouts were bored. The decided to start daring each other. The dares were innocent enough until, “I dare you to sit on a corckscrew”. Well one Scout did it and then exclaimed...

Oh Gee I Got In Over My Head
Hello Everyone,Yes, it is ptsteve again!!!  Ever feel like you have just dived into the deep end again.  Don't worry you have, but we have your back.  Take advantage of the training and also don't be shy about asking others...

Electric Camp Light
There are literally thousands of battery powered lighting devices on the market. These devices range in size from small pin lights up to mega multi-million candle power spot lights. Some of these devices you can even recharge in the field,...
 

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Brought to you by

Blogs and Podcasts

Hour A Week
An Hour A Week? #215
#215-Blue Quality unit suggestions, new leader assimilation, better customer service through dissension, BALOO, Adventure Base 100, flag retirement and more are on tonight’s show. Links: Adventure Base 100 Video-http://dl.dropbox.com/u/504981/AB100.mp4 University of Scouting Video-http://dl.dropbox.com/u/504981/Class%202.mp4 Tonight’s show...

A Boy Scout Blog
Happy Birthday Baden Powell!
Today we celebrate the birth of Lord Robert Baden Powell, founder of the scouting movement. Thanks to Baden Powell’s efforts the scouting movement still strives today. So thanks BP, for...

100 Days of Scouting
100 Days of Scouting: Day 15
Today I: Helped a Scouter get the registration fees worked out for himself and his son. Wrote the first post for my new project to help new Scouts, new Scout parents and new...

Trail Cooking & The Outdoors
Food Find: Hormel Natural Choice Pepperoni
Hormel® Pepperoni is a fantastic backpacking food for those who eat meat as it is very shelf stable. It comes in 3.5 ounce packages that have two sleeves of slices. While...

Scoutmaster Minute
Failure, Success, and never stop learning
This morning my Troop and I stood in a snow filled gully.  The crisp mountain air and the smell of pine filled the air as our Chaplains Aide raised his...

KISMIF
GMA Weekend on Scouting Anniversary
If you didn’t get to see it, the weekend edition of Good Morning America did a nice piece on the 100th anniversary of Scouting a couple of weeks ago. It’s not...

 

Random Scout News

view all news at all news

Westborough Girl Scouts send hygiene kits to Haiti - Westborough News
Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Westborough Girl Scouts send hygiene kits to HaitiWestborough NewsBy Staff reports Troops in the Westborough Girl Scouts recently helped the continuing rescue efforts in Haiti by making...

Scouts honor volunteers at recent event - Brazosport Facts
Scouts honor volunteers at recent eventBrazosport FactsThe Cradle of Texas District of the Bay Area Council-Boy Scouts of America recently hosted its annual awards banquet at First Presbyterian Church in...

Scouts honor volunteers at recent event - Brazosport Facts
Scouts honor volunteers at recent eventBrazosport FactsThe Cradle of Texas District of the Bay Area Council-Boy Scouts of America recently hosted its annual awards banquet at First Presbyterian Church in...

Murray L. Cole, 87, longtime supporter of MSU, Boy Scouts - NorthJersey.com
Murray L. Cole, 87, longtime supporter of MSU, Boy ScoutsNorthJersey.comMurray L. Cole, a lawyer devoted to Montclair State University and the Boy Scouts, died Feb. 14. He was 87 and...

 

Scouts In Action

They Saved the Baby from the River!
John Fitzgerald, 9, Christian Nanson, 11, and other members of Pack 100 and Troop 100 were swimming in Nebraska’s Platte River when Christian spotted a baby floating facedown in the...

He saved the boy from the riptide!
As Todd Staszak, 15, was bodyboarding at Hatteras, N.C., he heard cries for help. A man was trying to save his son and his son’s friend as a powerful riptide...

 

Thoughts to Ponder

 

Olympic Oath

I imagine most of us have watched the Olympic Games on the television. It's really great watching the world's greatest athletes competing, isn't it?

Did you know that these athletes take an oath before they begin competition? Let me read the oath:

"We swear that we will take part in the Olympic Games in loyal competition, respecting the regulations that govern them and desirous in participating in them in the true spirit of sportsmanship for the honor of our country and for the glory of sport. "

Did you notice that the oath says nothing about winning? Of course the athletes want to win. After all, they have been training for four years or more to get ready for the games.

But the Olympic ideal is fair competition, not winning at all costs. Let's remember that ideal when we have our Aqua-Olympics and any other competitions.

Play to win. But remember that every athlete must learn to lose gracefully, without alibiing or complaining. That's the Olympic ideal in a nutshell. It's also the ideal in Scouting.