Perhaps it represents childhood campouts you took decades ago. Or maybe it signifies the special bond you now share with your son or daughter. All good answers.

But ask the folks at the Web site Top Nonprofits, and they’ll tell you it provides “an organization with a solid foundation upon which to build their brand.” In fact, they called our logo one of the best nonprofit logos around.

Read on to learn why.

They used several criteria to determine the 50 best nonprofit logos. Among those named were the American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs, Girl Scouts of the USA, PBS, and the World Wildlife Fund.

Top Nonprofits said that the recognized logos were:

• aesthetically pleasing
• distinctive
• memorable
• timeless
• scalable
• simple enough for use with multiple mediums
• adaptable (color and black and white)
• able to communicate qualities of the brand

Related

Speaking of logos, download high-res versions of several BSA logos here.

The Indianapolis 500, easily the best-known auto race of the year, is Sunday.

I’ve always enjoyed watching, but ever since the BSA IndyCar debuted in 2010, I’ve had even more reason to tune in to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

This year, driver James Jakes takes the wheel of the No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing/Boy Scouts of America car.

Jakes, one of eight rookies in the race, will start in the sixth row, sandwiched between Dario Franchitti and J.R. Hildebrand, who finished second in last year’s Indy 500.

Plan to watch? Here’s all you need to know about the 96th edition of this event:

James Jakes, who is racing in his first Indy 500

RACE START: Noon (Eastern) on Sunday, May 27

TV: ABC

RADIO: More than 340 affiliate IMS Radio Network stations throughout the United States and Canada, plus XM 94, Sirius 212

INTERNET: If you don’t have access to a TV or radio, follow along at IndyCar.com

BSA CAR: Cheer for James Jakes, who will drive the BSA-branded No. 19 car. The red, white, and blue car should be easy to spot whenever it’s on screen.

QUOTABLE: “It is very exciting to make the Indianapolis 500 for the first time,” Jakes said. “Now the team can start working on the race-day setup. The entire Boy Scouts of America team has done a great job giving me a fast car all week long. Hopefully, we can bring home a great finish in the race.”

About the BSA IndyCar

The BSA No. 19 IndyCar, a generous gift of Dale Coyne and his wife, Gail, gives Scouts of all ages the chance to learn more about the science, technology, engineering, and math that go into racing. The car and its operation are funded by Dale Coyne Racing, not the Boy Scouts of America.

Learn when the BSA IndyCar will race near your home council.

Both photos by Roger Morgan/BSA

Photo Fridays, which debuted last week, showcases real photos from real Scouters.

Each week, the photos fit a different theme. This week it’s High Adventure, and the 29 photos below highlight a few of the many different kinds of adventure Scouts can have.

NEXT WEEK’S THEME

For next Friday, send me your photos of Funny Moments. There are several at each meeting or on on each trip, so share a laugh with your fellow Scouters!

E-mail me your photos with the subject line “PHOTO FRIDAYS: Funny Moments.” Be sure to include your name and home council.

Content is more important than quality. If it’s a cool photo, it doesn’t matter if it’s a little blurry or you took it with your old cameraphone. Just send it!

But first, enjoy these photos:

Week 2: High Adventure

Ryan Lawler, Greater Cleveland

Lori Merz Smith, Cherokee Area

Leon Wiser

Leon Wiser

John Duncan, Northeast Illinois

Jeff Hanft, Great Lakes

Jason Pettis, Denver Area

Janice Corona, Los Angeles Area

Janice Corona, Los Angeles Area

Hank Eisenstein, Staten Island

Hank Eisenstein, Staten Island

Hank Burton, Mountaineer Area

Hank Burton, Mountaineer Area

Hank Burton, Mountaineer Area

Hank Burton, Mountaineer Area

Hank Burton, Mountaineer Area

Gregg Jordan, Gulf Coast

Gregg Jordan, Gulf Coast

Eric Parker, Greenwich Council

Ed Bedford, Occoneechee

Ed Bedford, Occoneechee

Ed Bedford, Occoneechee

Ed Bedford, Occoneechee

Ed Bedford, Occoneechee

Ed Bedford, Occoneechee

Dan Colglazier, Occoneechee

Dan Colglazier, Occoneechee

Bob Olafson, Circle Ten

Bob Olafson, Circle Ten

Next week: Photos of Funny Moments

Send your best ones to me.

Previous Photo Fridays

1. Cub Scout Fun

(h/t to my first Scoutmaster, Patrick Adams, for the idea for Photo Fridays)

The Greater New York Councils created the special-edition council shoulder patch seen above to commemorate the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The patch, called “A Tribute in Light,” depicts the real-life Sept. 11 memorial displayed in New York each year. The twin beams of light shine from dusk on Sept. 11 through dawn the next day and can be seen for 60 miles.

It’s the first in the councils’ “Big Apple Series,” which is an annual “council shoulder patch series capturing the essence and world famous landmarks of the greatest city in the world.”

I love New York, and so I’m excited to see which landmark the councils showcase next. But it’s only fitting that they start with this moving tribute both to those who were lost and to those who are still healing from that terrible tragedy.

If you want one of these patches, read on to learn how to buy your own or — even better — win one of mine.

How to order

First, know that there are two versions of the patch.

The one seen above sells for $7 (shipping included). Then there’s another with the words “Never Forget” in ghosted script at the bottom. That one is $15 (shipping included).

To order, download the PDF order form or visit this site.

Win one of mine

The Greater New York Councils sent me one normal patch and one “Never Forget” patch to check out (thanks, Dave Swartz).

No fair for me to keep them, so I’m going to give them away to two lucky blog readers.

Here’s how to enter:

• Leave a comment below (be sure to use your actual e-mail address so I can contact you if you win).
• You can say anything you’d like in the actual comment. Say “pick me” or tell me about your favorite New York landmark or favorite council shoulder patch. Say whatever you feel like saying!
• You have until Monday, June 4, at noon (CT) to enter.
• You can only enter once.
• I’ll pick two winners (at random) and send each a patch — good luck!

The May 2012 version of the document, only available online (PDF), offers updates on “guidelines and policies relating to Scouting programs in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” according to the document’s introductory section.

This handbook isn’t meant to replace the handbook for each individual Scouting program. Instead, it outlines “differences between Church policy and BSA policy.”

“Bishoprics and Young Men, Primary, and Scouting leaders should be familiar with this information as they administer Scouting programs in the ward.”

Sections include:

• Training and Development
• Stake Leaders’ Responsibilities for Scouting
• Ward Leaders’ Responsibilities for Scouting
• Scouting in the Aaronic Priesthood
• Scouting in Primary
• Awards and Recognition
• Church Policies

Related

Find tons of LDS Scouting resources here.

(h/t to Scout-Wire)