BSA to use Scout Oath and Scout Law for all programs

17 October 2012

Update, Jan. 27, 2014: Sea Scouts, see how this applies to you here.

It’s official: The resolution to move to one Oath and Law for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity, Sea Scouts, and Venturing was approved this morning by the Boy Scouts of America’s executive board.

I first told you about the volunteer-led proposal in a blog post in August.

Essentially, this means every Scout of any age will use the Scout Oath and Law instead of reciting separate, program-specific sayings. Cub Scouts will recite the Scout Oath and Law instead of the Cub Scout Promise and Law of the Pack. Similarly, Venturers will no longer use the Venturing Oath and Venturing Code.

Because it will take time to transition into this new approach, the changes are not immediate.

The Venturing change will not happen until late 2013 or early 2014; the Cub Scout change will take effect in mid-2015. Stay tuned to my blog for exact dates as I get them.

Additionally, the newly adopted resolution replaces the full-hand Venturing sign and salute with the three-finger Boy Scout sign and salute.

UPDATE (10/18/12): I confirmed the above sentence today. Venturing will begin to use the Scout sign and Scout salute. This wasn’t mentioned in the resolution because the sign and salute are not specified in the rules and regulations.

For the full resolution and answers to some frequently asked questions, follow the jump: Continue reading →

New unit-level position helps Scouts find religion (or at least religious emblems)

28 September 2012

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Help make “A Scout is Reverent” more than just words recited at a troop meeting.

Find someone in your pack or troop to fill the new Unit Religious Emblems Coordinator (UREC) position.

The UREC, now recognized as a position on the unit committee, will educate, motivate, evaluate, and facilitate the religious emblems program at the unit level.

And, of course, he or she will wear a position patch showing everyone his or her importance in helping Scouts do their Duty to God.

Additional information regarding the position, including a complete position description, can be found on the Membership Resources page on scouting.org.

(H/T Scout Wire)

Wood Badge Wednesdays, Vol. 2: Bringing the Vision to Life

19 September 2012

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I’ve been involved in Scouting for more than 20 years, and I love trivia.

At Wood Badge, those two forces collided, resulting in one giant, flaming ball of disappointment and public shame.

I don’t want to say too much and spoil a Wood Badge surprise, but let’s just say that my Scouting knowledge was put to the test at the weeklong course last month. In fact, it was our whole patrol’s BSA proficiency on the line, but I spoke up more than I should’ve.

“I work for the BSA,” I thought to myself. “I got this.”

Turns out I was wrong. Three times in a row. Each time I pressed my luck, all I got was another whammy.

From that I learned I have a lot to learn — about the BSA, about myself, and about the right way to receive negative feedback.

In that failure, I realized what the staff meant when they had explained the day before that “feedback is a gift.” The feedback wasn’t positive this time, but I learned that responding with defensiveness — my fallback approach — would only cloud my ability to accept the gift of constructive criticism.

Chalk it up as another way Wood Badge changed me for the better.

Today’s topic: Bringing the Vision to Life. I’ll discuss the importance of listening and of giving and receiving feedback. Then I’ll share a couple of examples of times when communication worked — and didn’t work — in my Wood Badge patrol.

It’s the second installment of my Wood Badge Wednesdays series, which, as Chad correctly guessed last week, is one of my ticket items. (I’ll share the other four in a my final Wood Badge Wednesdays post.) Continue reading →

Troop calendar planning conferences: What works, what doesn’t?

12 September 2012

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A troop without an activity calendar is like a car without a steering wheel: It lacks direction.

In the Boy Scouts, creating a troop calendar for the next six to 12 months doesn’t happen by itself. It takes dedication from a well-trained Patrol Leaders’ Council — and the right amount of guidance from adult leaders like you.

But how much guidance is too much? What works — and what doesn’t — at a troop planning conference?

I asked Scouters on Facebook and Twitter, and they shared these ideas: Continue reading →

Two for the road: BSA adds NASCAR to its racing lineup

6 September 2012

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What’s better than one lightning-fast car emblazoned with the BSA logo? Two, of course.

Last week, the Boy Scouts of America announced it was entering the action-packed world of NASCAR.

Do you care? You should, for many reasons. But here are two:

First, the alliance expands the reach of BSA Racing. You already know about the BSA No. 19 IndyCar, made possible by the generosity of Gail and Dale Coyne. Now, BSA Racing will expand to include the NASCAR Nationwide Series, meaning even more people will hear about Scouting and learn about the movement’s relevance to today’s youth.

In a word: recruitment.

Second, this relationship further advances the STEM initiative with another way to introduce Scouts to real-world applications for science, technology, engineering, and math. Think about it: Would your Scouts prefer learning STEM subjects in a stuffy church basement or by visiting the garage of a race-car driver?

In a word: retention.

Here’s what else we know about the BSA-NASCAR relationship: Continue reading →

A Cubcast every responsible Scouter should hear

6 September 2012

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“Who is responsible for this?”

The question conjures an image of a frazzled den leader, hands on hips, looking out over the mess the boys left behind.

But spin the phrase around, and it can follow a praiseworthy moment where Scouts did what’s right without your having to ask.

Encourage moral accountability in your Scouts by teaching Responsibility, October’s Cub Scout Core Value — and the subject of Part 1 of the September Cubcast. Continue reading →

Hail to the Chief: Warm wishes for Bob Mazzuca on his last day

31 August 2012

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Bob Mazzuca gives one final wave as he departs from the BSA office after Thursday’s farewell celebration.

Today marks the end of an era.

Chief Scout Executive Robert J. Mazzuca — known to us all as Bob — turns over the reins of the Boy Scouts of America to Wayne Brock at the end of the day.

Bob, BSA Chief since 2007, steered our movement through several important milestones, including the healthy living initiative, the centennial celebration in 2010, the acquisition and development of the Summit Bechtel Reserve, and much more.

On a personal note, Bob has been the only Chief I’ve known in my four years as a BSA professional.

Here’s a memory that sticks in my mind: A couple of years ago, I was asked to attend a meeting with the Chief and a half-dozen other professionals. I can still remember sitting down at the conference table across from Bob’s empty chair. It was my first small-group meeting with the Chief, and I could feel my heart pounding. It’s not every day you’re asked to meet with the CEO.

Bob was coming from another meeting, and everyone else had arrived early. We all chatted as we waited for him to enter.

When he did, a respectful silence fell across the room. Everyone turned to Bob.

He looked around the room, smiled, cracked a joke, and said, “Let’s go!” He then sat down and started the meeting. The tension melted away, and the meeting was productive and efficient.

That’s the kind of leader Bob is, in my experience. He owns any room, but not through force. Instead, he brings a warm, welcoming presence that inspires others to do their best.

I’m not the only one who thinks so.

Yesterday, I asked Scouting magazine’s Facebook friends to share their warm wishes for Bob. Here are a few of my favorite responses: Continue reading →

A bold new beginning for a Michigan council at the Crossroads

17 August 2012

80 Comments

When the going gets tough, Scouts get going.

Just look at what’s happening in Michigan. The place has experienced some of the toughest economic times in America and it also boasts some of the toughest volunteers and professionals in the Boy Scouts of America.

They’ve refused to let Scouting fail in the Great Lakes State, and they’re teaching Scouts and Scouters everywhere a thing or two about courage under fire.

On Tuesday, the Michigan Crossroads Council received its official BSA charter — effectively merging nine councils into one. It’s the culmination of an 18-month, volunteer-driven effort that Scouting magazine first told you about in our March-April 2012 issue.

But they’re not crossing the finish line. Continue reading →

Why are so many boys taking so much longer to reach Eagle Scout?

14 August 2012

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You can’t blame this one on inflation.

More than 60 years ago, the average age of a boy earning Eagle was 14.6. Today it’s 17.1.

As we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Eagle Scout Award this month, it’s a good time to ask: Why the increase?

Are boys simply taking time to enjoy the journey toward Scouting’s top honor? Are they busier with school or extracurricular activities? Or is some other factor at work here?

I do know this: More boys earn Eagle today than ever before, a sign that the program is working. But at the same time, more boys wait until they’re 17 years and 11 months old to finish the journey — raising their parents’ blood pressures in the process.

What do you think?

Why are today’s new Eagle Scouts so much older than Eagle Scouts from a generation ago? Join the discussion below.

Graphic adapted from this official BSA infographic.

Power of plastic: Discover card programs benefit Scouts, Scouting

23 July 2012

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Ready to lead the charge in your pack, troop, team, or crew?

Check out the Boy Scouts of America’s new Discover card programs, which offer a lesson in financial responsibility for your Scouts and a boost for the BSA.

There are two separate components to the program. Here’s what you need to know: Continue reading →