Scouting magazine

Knot of the Week: Arrow of Light Award

When you see a fellow Scouter wearing this red, green, and yellow knot, what does it tell you?

For us, it’s a sign that this Scouter was dedicated to the program from a very young age. So dedicated, in fact, that he earned the Arrow of Light Award, the pinnacle of Cub Scouting, before he even turned 12 years old.

And did you know that it’s one of just two items a Scouter may wear on his uniform from his days as a Cub Scout?(The other is the youth religious award knot.) Also, it’s one of just a handful of square knots that have a de facto age requirement—another is the Eagle Scout Award—because you can only earn them as a youth.

Boys who earn the Arrow of Light hone their outdoor skills, get physically fit, and understand and practice the values of Scouting. It signifies they’ve completed all of the requirements for a Scout badge and are permitted to join a Boy Scout troop.

We don’t look at the Arrow of Light as the culmination of a Cub Scout journey. Instead, we see it as the beginning of a Scouting adventure.

Chime In: Do you have the Arrow of Light award? What does it mean to you? What is your favorite Cub Scout memory? Let us know by adding your comment below.

CORRECTION: The article previously stated that the Arrow of Light is the only award from Cub Scouts that can be worn on an adult uniform. Thanks to Jon for pointing out that the religious award fits those criteria as well. 

Name That Council: June 26, 2009 solution

We hope you had an easy time figuring out the location of the peaceful scene shown in Friday’s challenge. After all, getting stressed would prevent you from enjoying the idyllic panorama of the lighthouse and lake pictured in the patch.

Even if you didn’t recognize the location, did you notice the state map in the center of the patch? That’s the outline of Michigan. You still had to sort out the council’s name, though. So follow the jump to learn the answer.

Name That Council: June 26, 2009

On Monday we promised that today’s Name That Council would be easier than last week’s. But we hope you didn’t expect a gimme.

If you think you know the council whose members wear the patch shown, e-mail us with your guess along with your name, unit number, position, and hometown. On Monday, we’ll post the first correct respondent on Cracker Barrel. Look closely!

What a Weekend: Extra! Extra! uses for newspaper

Here’s a new spin on recycling the news: Keenan Klos and Pack 249 used hundreds of newspapers to celebrate the March Cub Scout theme, “Jurassic Pack.”

Pack leaders asked the boys to roll newspaper tubes with their parents at home. Then, each one brought at least 50 tubes to the pack meeting. With these homemade building blocks, they were given 30 minutes to create dinosaurs using only the tubes, extra newspaper, and tape.

Klos says that some dens practiced their creations during den meetings prior to the monthly pack meeting. Smart plan.

During construction, parents and visiting Boy Scouts observed and judged the team’s performance, while making diligent mental notes. After time was called, a Scout from each den described his team’s design, and the judges handed out awards in categories such as Best Teamwork, Best Adaptation of Theme, and Best Design.

Then the real fun began. Leaders gave the boys 10 minutes to destroy all of the structures, toss the paper into the air, and “basically just act crazy,” Klos says. This short diversion was followed by—you guessed it—a massive group cleanup.

What can you learn from Klos and Pack 249? It’s easy to adopt this same activity and apply it to practically any Cub Scout monthly theme. It encourages teamwork within the den, builds creativity, and lets the boys have a ton of fun. Also, it’ll cost you almost nothing to execute—great for cash-strapped pack budgets.

Follow the jump to check out two more photos from the Jurassic Pack event and see if your boys might enjoy such an event.

Knot of the Week: Cub Scout Den Leader Award

Take a break from corralling your den full of energized 7- to 10-year-olds, and listen up. We know you work hard as a den leader, and we want give you a hint on how you can get your just rewards.

Start recording your progress as a volunteer and apply for the Cub Scout Den Leader Award. The blue-and-gold (naturally) square knot is available after you’ve spent one year as a registered Cub Scout den leader.

But, you’ve got to complete these training and performance requirements:

Training:

• Complete “The New Den Leader” Fast Start training, basic course for Cub Scout den leaders, and Youth Protection Training.
  
• Participate in a Cub Scout leader pow wow or University of Scouting, or attend at least four roundtables.
  

Performance (do five of the following 10):

• During at least one program year, have at least 50 percent of your den’s boys earn the rank for their grade or age.
  
• At least once, reregister a minimum of 75 percent of the eligible members of your den during rechartering.
  
• Graduate at least 60 percent of eligible boys in your den into Webelos Scouting.
  
• Have an assistant den leader who meets regularly with your den.
  
• Have a den chief who meets regularly with your den.
  
• Take leadership in planning and conducting a den service project.
  
• Conduct at least three den meetings per month, nine months per year.
  
• Participate with your den in a Cub Scout day or resident camp.
  
• Explore three “character connection” activities with your den in a year.
  
• Hold regular den meeting and activity planning sessions with your assistant den leader.
  

Get the details, and then get started. Click here (link opens PDF) to download a printable, wallet-size progress record. Your pack committee chairman, Cubmaster, and a district representative must approve your progress as you complete the requirements. 

Scouting news for your eyes, ears

What’s the best way to keep up with Scouting news, information, and tips on the go?

That’s easy. Load the BSA’s official podcasts, audio or video files that you can download to listen to or watch, into your MP3 player. The term is derived from the words “iPod” and “broadcast,” but you don’t need an iPod to view or listen to a podcast.

Best of all, they’re free. And most are updated regularly to keep you on top of the latest news about a subject that matters to you. In this case, Scouting.

To start, check out Scoutcast, one of many great features on the newly redesigned www.scouting.org. It’s a one-stop shop for all Scouting podcasts.

Listen to or watch new or archived podcasts right on the site. Or, if you’re a tech-savvy Scouter, you can find instructions on how to download them through iTunes or similar applications. Then, just transfer them to a portable player and listen in the car, on the train, or anywhere.

Check in and get three podcasts:

Value of Scouting—a monthly photo essay of Scouts and Scouters making America better. A recent episode highlights Anthony Thomas, the 2 millionth Eagle Scout.

Cubcast—a monthly podcast for Cub Scout leaders that plugs you into valuable info and helpful tips on each month’s program theme. Right now you can hear all about July’s theme, “Be a Sport.”

CommissionerCast—great insights from Tico Perez, the BSA’s national commissioner.

Name That Council: June 19, 2009 solution

OK, last week’s Name That Council was tough. But you might have gotten it—if you looked closely at the most-prominent element of the patch (shown above). Follow the jump for the correct answer.

Name That Council: June 19, 2009

This week we take Name That Council out to the high seas. The traditional-looking ship pictured is essentially your only clue. There’s no skyline, well-known landmark, or state flag to assist you this week.

If you think you know which council wears the patch pictured above, e-mail us with your choice along with your name, position, unit number, and hometown. We’ll announce the winner along with the correct answer on Monday.

Good luck and bon voyage!

Centennial uniform helps ward off skin cancer

If you’re seeking extra protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays—and really, who isn’t—listen up.

What you wear is as important as the sunscreen you put on. And by wearing any of the items in the new Centennial uniform you’ll help block out damaging rays.

Want proof? The Skin Cancer Foundation recently gave its distinctive Seal of Recommendation to all 18 items in the BSA’s Centennial uniform collection. This stamp of approval means the foundation determined that the items have a high ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), which is similar to SPF but for clothes instead of sunscreen.

Since most of the excitement in Scouting happens outside, it’s important to use sunscreen and wear UV-resistant clothing, like the BSA uniform. You can get sunburned through clothes that don’t offer UV protection, so be careful.

And if you’re seeking even more sun-smart apparel, the Supply Division is developing additional official BSA products that will feature that Seal of Recommendation. So the next time you’re shopping for clothes for yourself or your Scout, make sure to check for the seal (pictured above left) and know you’re protected from cancer-causing rays.

For more details on skin cancer, the Skin Cancer Foundation, or the foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, click here.

Knot of the Week: ¡Scouting... Vale La Pena! Service Award

Scouting is universal. No matter where you go in the country, you’ll see Scouts of every religion, race, and socioeconomic level.

In honor of the BSA’s desire to encourage development of Scouting programs in Hispanic communities, the ¡Scouting… Vale La Pena! Service Award was introduced. The Spanish phrase in the award’s name translates to “worth the effort,” and the award’s recipients are individuals who believe that bringing Scouting to Hispanic youth is indeed just that.

People of all races can receive the square knot, but each council’s annual quota of awards can’t exceed the number of districts in the council.

The award’s application is available in English and Spanish, and it stresses that an individual’s accomplishments are more important than his or her tenure in Scouting. If you or someone you know has helped improve the Scouting program in a Hispanic community, check out the application for more details (link opens PDF).

Nominees are submitted to local councils who screen applicants and forward worthy Scouters to the national office. Good luck, and gracias for all you do for Scouting.