He was one merit badge from earning Eagle when …

18 June 2013

With the finish line tantalizingly close, you’ll never guess what slowed down John L. on his trail to Eagle.

John, a Life Scout from Texas, had finished his position of responsibility requirements and completed his Eagle Scout project. He had signatures from his counselor and Scoutmaster on the blue card for his final required merit badge.

But enter the washing machine, an enemy of any teenage boy. You see, John’s blue card was in the pocket of his pants, and this photo from his Scoutmaster shows what was left after the spin cycle.

Of course, John’s Scoutmaster, Bob Olafson, shouldn’t have any trouble getting a new blue card with the proper signatures. But Bob couldn’t help but share this fun, tragic anecdote with his fellow Scouters.

Top photo from Flickr: Some rights reserved by Drregor

More museums should be like this Scout-friendly one in Oregon

17 May 2013

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There’s tons to see inside the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum near Portland, Ore.

But it’s what’s outside that caught my eye.

The museum, located in McMinnville, just opened a new designated Scout camping area. That means Scouts can set up their tents among oak trees right off the museum’s parking lot and then walk over to the museum during the day.

Once there, they can check out displays like the original Spruce Goose, movies in the museum theater, merit badge classes, or the “educational waterpark” with its 10 waterslides that teach visitors about the power of water. Continue reading »

Find your path: Track down a National Trails Day event near you

9 April 2013

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Last year's patch. This year's design hasn't yet been released.

The official National Trails Day patch. Get yours at ScoutStuff.org.

Maybe you’ll walk in the footsteps of the Wright Brothers in Ohio, hike from scene to scene in an outdoor production of Snow White in Boulder, or bike through redwoods in California.

Wherever you are, there’s surely a National Trails Day event near you.

So save the date for Saturday, June 1, to take your Scouts or Venturers to a local hike, cycling event, horseback ride, trail-maintenance project, paddle trip, health fair, geocaching activity, photo safari, or birdwatching expedition.

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, which I’ve blogged about annually since 2010, is a great way to show people in your community that Scouting and the outdoors go hand in hand. Who knows a trail better than a bunch of Boy Scouts or Venturers?

To start, search for an activity near you. Continue reading »

In an edgy decision, the BSA sets limit on knife-blade length

1 April 2013

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(Update, April 2, 2013) Please read a special message at the end of the post.

Knives. They may be the source of the most confusion within Scouting circles.

I’ve heard people tell me sheath knives are banned in Scouting (they’re not), that Scouts can only carry one knife (not true), or that blades can’t be longer than five inches (wrong again).

Today, though, BSA Health and Safety team lead Richard Bourlon announced a new knife policy that changes things a bit. For the first time in the organization’s history, the BSA is mandating a maximum blade length for knives used within Scouting.

The magic number:

Scouts aren’t immune to Harlem Shake

1 March 2013

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You knew it was bound to happen.

The Harlem Shake, the Internet meme that came from nowhere last month and is now impossible to avoid, has caught the eye of more than a few Boy Scout troops and Cub Scout packs.

Scouts from Salt Lake City, Puerto Rico, and several places in between have created their own versions of the viral video, which starts with one person dancing alone for 15 seconds before a quick cut to a chaotic group dance lasting another 15 seconds.

Most of the Scouts’ videos I found were tasteful and fun and they show Scouts doing what Scouts do — laughing, bonding, and acting crazy. One video starred the staff of a summer youth leadership course in Utah, and at the end included a message for Scouts to register for the event. Smart marketing!

Check out five Boy Scout versions (and one Cub Scout version) of the Harlem Shake: Continue reading »

Distinguished Eagle Scout goes ‘Undercover’

11 January 2013

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Here’s Jim Rogers without his “Undercover Boss” disguise.

Just how high can Eagle Scouts go?

Consider Jim Rogers, Distinguished Eagle Scout and CEO of Kampgrounds of America, as he gets the Undercover Boss treatment on tonight’s new episode.

Rogers, who earned Eagle in California in 1965, will go undercover as “Tim Bickford” to see firsthand how KOA and its 400 camping locations are performing 13 years after he took over as the boss. And the best part: I’m hearing Rogers’ status as an Eagle Scout plays a role in the episode.

But really, how could Scouting not play a role? I mean, Rogers has three Eagle Scout sons, two Eagle Scout brothers, and has helped the Scouting movement grow in his home state of Montana. You can learn more about his contributions to Scouting on this National Eagle Scout Association page.

I even had the pleasure of hearing Rogers speak at the 2011 National Outdoor Conference at Northern Tier. He’s an excellent speaker with an interesting message for anyone who works in the outdoors.

The Emmy-winning Undercover Boss, already one of my favorites, gets even better now that I know an Eagle Scout will be featured. If you haven’t seen an episode, here’s how it works: Continue reading »

Watch BSA posters get appraised on ‘Antiques Roadshow’

3 January 2013

42 Comments

(Updated Jan. 8, 2013)

The 10-time Emmy nominated Antiques Roadshow, “part adventure, part history lesson, part treasure hunt,” kicked off its 17th season with an episode featuring a little something for Scouting collectors.

The show’s premiere took us to Corpus Christi, Tex., and included a very-brief appraisal of Boy Scout posters.

Admittedly, when I first heard the show would feature BSA memorabilia, I had hoped the BSA segment would be longer. As it is, you can watch the 60-second appraisal of some BSA posters right here.

You Tell Me

What’s your most-prized piece of BSA memorabilia? And if you had to guess, what would you set as its dollar value? Leave your comment below.

Note from Bryan (Jan. 8, 2013): In an earlier version of this post, I oversold the BSA segment’s length and its depth. I was basing that on the information PBS sent to the BSA last month, and I published this post before I had seen the clip myself. I apologize for the confusion.

November-December ‘Where Am I?’ contest winner, location revealed

2 January 2013

Jamboree calls on Carly for opening stadium show at the Summit

19 December 2012

37 Comments

The hits just keep on coming.

Exactly one month after the BSA locked in Train to close the 2013 jamboree, we now know who will kick things off at the Summit Bechtel Reserve next summer.

It’s Carly Rae Jepsen, the 27-year-old Canadian songstress whose single “Call Me Maybe” won MTV’s Best Song Of 2012 honors and has been seen more than 360 million times on YouTube — and counting.

Carly, who’s up for two Grammy Awards in February, will headline the “Welcome to the Summit” show on Tuesday morning, July 16, at the stadium (the area known as the arena at past jamborees).

If, somehow, you’ve missed the video or the dozens of spinoffs it spawned — from the USA Olympic Swim Team, NASA, Sesame Street, and the U.S. Armed Forces, to name a few — you can watch the original below. But fair warning: The infectious tune will stick in your head till July.

Need proof that Scouts are Carly fans? Watch thousands of Arrowmen at NOAC 2012 singing their hearts out to Carly’s hit: Continue reading »

Train on board for closing stadium show at 2013 jamboree

19 November 2012

14 Comments

Three-time Grammy winners Train will headline the closing stadium show at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, the Boy Scouts of America announced today.

For my money, this is the biggest musical act to perform at a national Scout jamboree since the Beach Boys in 1985. And I’m told it’s the earliest in the jamboree planning cycle that a headliner has signed on. That’s good news for participants and staff already registered for the jamboree, and it’s yet another enticing reason for Scouts and Scouters not registered to join us next summer in West Virginia.

You surely know Train, the pop-rock group from San Francisco that has performed together since 1994. And you know their hits, including “Meet Virginia,” “Drops of Jupiter,” “Calling All Angels,” “Hey, Soul Sister,” and recent singles “Drive By” and “50 Ways to Say Goodbye.”

Train — consisting of Pat Monahan (vocals), Jimmy Stafford (guitar), and Scott Underwood (drums) — will perform Saturday, July 20, at the closing event, called the “Celebration of Scouting” show. They’ll light up the new stage at the stadium (the area called the arena at past jamborees) in front of tens of thousands of excited Scouts, Scouters, and visitors.

Train’s a big name for the jamboree, but they certainly aren’t the first recognizable people to speak, sing, or perform on the event’s big stage.

This isn’t a complete list, but here are some big-name guests at past arena/stadium shows (note that I’m only including in-person guests, not those who appeared via video):