Let’s talk: Announcing the 2013 Jamboree on the Air/Internet dates

22 March 2013

Can’t attend the 2013 National Jamboree this summer? Consider the next best thing.

Mark your calendars today for the 2013 editions of the Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet, held this fall. As the names imply, the events give Scouts a chance to communicate with fellow Scouts from across the country or around the world through the power of amateur radio or the Internet.

This year’s JOTA and JOTI are set for Oct. 19 and 20, and if last year’s numbers are an indication, turnout should be big. Continue reading »

What’s the most positive decision your Scouts could make?

20 March 2013

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For teens, it just might be saying no — to tobacco, to drugs, and to alcohol.

And now, courageous Scouts and Venturers who pledge to remain tobacco-, drug- and alcohol-free have the opportunity to to win an all-expenses-paid trip to any of the BSA’s high-adventure bases: Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier, or Florida Sea Base. Everything is included — roundtrip flights, ground transportation, program fees — for an enviable prize valued at $3,000.

The sweepstakes is brought to you by Boys’ Life. In other words, sorry, but adults aren’t eligible to enter. It’s solely for registered Boy Scouts or Venturers between the ages of 14 and 17 at time of entry.

So, leaders, send your Scouts to the Trail of Courage contest page to enter. All they do is take the pledge and submit their contact information. It’s simple, but hurry — the contest ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on March 31.

The drawing will yield just one randomly selected winner, but I think all would agree that any Scout or Venturer who takes the pledge to steer clear of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol is winning at life.

Something new under the sun (‘Are You Tougher?’ Episode 3 Recap)

19 March 2013

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Did we finally have a fair fight on our hands?

After two weeks of pitting adults who didn’t make Eagle against teenagers who did, Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout? turned up the heat last night.

Forget excuses like “I came three merit badges short” or “my troop folded.” This time, two of the adult competitors made it all the way to Eagle. Surely that would mean an end to the adults’ dismal run, right? I mean, one win for the adults in six challenges so far? That’s below the Are You Tougher? Mendoza Line.

Just how did these 30-somethings fare against fellow Eagles half their age? You’ll have to read my recap and review of Episode 3, “Buoy Scouts,” to find out …

Spoiler alert: This recap will include details that reveal who won the competitions in this week’s episode. Don’t read on if you haven’t seen Episode 3 and want to be surprised by the results. Continue reading »

‘Are You Tougher?’ turns up the heat on the adults and Scouts

18 March 2013

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What could possibly bring Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout? to a screeching halt?

See for yourself—no spoiler alerts, here—tonight at 8 p.m./7 p.m. Central when the next episode of the National Geographic Channel’s exciting new reality show returns, pitting adult former Scouts against current Scouts.

This third installment, featuring the pun-worthy title “Buoy Scouts,” features two adult Eagle Scouts and one adult who didn’t make it to the top, as well as popular Scouts from the past two episodes: Trent and Rob.

As expected, the adults have something to prove. Also as expected, they find the going a little, er, tougher than they expected. Continue reading »

Voice of the Scout membership-policy survey questions give Scouters, parents a chance to be heard

14 March 2013

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It’s mid-March. That means Phase 2 of the Boy Scouts of America’s three-month family discussion has shifted into high gear.

The BSA calls this phase “Listening,” and that’s exactly what the organization is doing. Scheduled to last from March 1 to April 5, the phase includes, in addition to a lot of conversations with a lot of people, a 13-question Voice of the Scout survey, recently sent to about 1.1 million registered volunteers and Scout parents.

The questions, which you can read below, were designed to help committees review the beliefs and concerns of two groups of stakeholders critical to this process: Scouters and the parents of registered Scouts.

The BSA is also sending the survey to approximately 325,000 Scouting alumni, former members who aren’t necessarily currently active but have previously joined the National Eagle Scout Association or the Scouting Alumni Association.

Refresh your memory about the remaining phases in a blog post I wrote last month. But, briefly, they include evaluating the results of the surveys and other committee reports, the executive officers preparing a resolution to present to the group of National Council voting members, educating the Scouting family about the findings, holding a vote on the resolution at the National Annual Meeting in May, and taking whatever steps are needed to carry out the decision.

First, though, the survey will collect feedback from our key stakeholders, asking parents and volunteers to carefully consider the current membership policy and potential affects on the program should the BSA change its policy or keep it the same.

If you are a current member and you have not received a survey, you may visit this link to register your member ID number and receive a link for the survey after your information has been verified. Parents of Scouts can also use this link to get a survey. You should use your child’s ID and indicate you are a parent and input your own demographic information.

As is common in any family discussion, the survey touches on some personal issues. But it’s a conversation we must have now to ensure the continued success of our organization for the future.

The leadership of the BSA is firmly committed to making sure every voice gets heard and is dedicated to the integrity of this process. So, if you receive the survey, speak up—for yourself and for the Boy Scouts of America.

View the survey now:

A new recipe: What to expect from the Cooking merit badge redesign

13 March 2013

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cooking What’s on the menu for the revamped Cooking merit badge, served up later this year?

The BSA’s volunteer-led team isn’t ready to dish on the main course just yet, but I was authorized to give you a taste — an appetizer, if you will.

OK, enough cooking puns. Here’s what I know: Continue reading »

Spread the word: Help send Scouters to conferences at Philmont Training Center

12 March 2013

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philmont-ambassador-patch There’s another side to Philmont where training, not trekking, takes center stage.

The Philmont Training Center, the BSA’s national volunteer education facility, hosts more than 5,000 Scouters and family members each summer for its signature weeklong courses.

But even though everyone’s heard of Philmont — aka “Scouting paradise” — not everyone knows about the conferences designed to educate volunteers in all areas of the program, from Cub Scouts to Venturing.

That’s where the new Philmont Training Center Ambassador program steps up. This council-level volunteer is responsible for promoting PTC training opportunities within his or her council.

What’s in it for you? And how do you become your council’s PTC ambassador? Read on… Continue reading »

A paddle of wills to prove they belong (‘Are You Tougher?’ Episode 2 Recap)

11 March 2013

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Whoever said “less is more” apparently hasn’t watched Episode 2 of Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?

Tonight’s episode of the new National Geographic Channel show was, to me, superior to Episode 1 because it gave us more of what we Scouters and Scouts love about the Boy Scouts of America.

We got more Handbook-inspired Scout skills, more fast-paced adventure, and more unscripted examples of Scouts living the Scout Law.

We also saw challenges that were generally more competitive than in the first episode, with the adults holding their own against the Scouts. But which side came out on top? Did any of the adults prove they were tougher than a Boy Scout? Keep reading to find out …

Spoiler alert: This recap will include details that reveal who won the competitions in this week’s episode. Don’t read on if you haven’t seen Episode 2 and want to be surprised by the results. Continue reading »

Viewership numbers in on ‘Are You Tougher?’ as date for next episode nears

8 March 2013

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More than 439,000 households tuned in to the premiere of Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout? on Monday, meaning 439,000 homes got a firsthand look at the excitement Scouting offers boys and girls.

(Read my recap and review of the first episode.)

Tougher represents positive marketing you can’t pay for, and it’s a great start for the show. I’m told the numbers are better than the National Geographic Channel usually gets for that timeslot. But with five new episodes still to come, now’s no time to celebrate.

Tell everyone you know to tune in for an all-new episode at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. Central) on Monday (March 11), and let’s keep those viewership numbers strong.

The episode, called “Ninja Scouts,” will introduce us to Lee, a former Marine; Paul, who feels guilty for dropping out as a teen; and David, who left Scouts three badges shy of Eagle. The first challenge will have Scouts and adults rappelling off a bridge before rafting down Class III rapids.

Which of these adults, if any, will be Tougher Than a Boy Scout? I can’t wait to find out.

Check out 30 of the coolest Eagle Scout letters I’ve seen

8 March 2013

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What do President Barack Obama, New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, author Homer Hickam, actor Chuck Norris, and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal all have in common?

No, they’re not the five famous people I’d invite to a fantasy dinner party — though that would be interesting.

In fact, these men are among the five famous folks who have mailed congratulatory letters to new Eagle Scouts. Last month, I asked our Facebook friends to send me their favorite Eagle letters.

After sorting through about a hundred impressive submissions, I picked my 30 favorites, removed the Eagle’s last name and address, and will share them with you.

The letter-writers include names you know in the worlds of politics, entertainment, and sports. And they prove that it’s worth sending a request for a letter to just about anybody — all they can do is say no.

A final note: One of the letters was from the late Sen. Daniel Inouye, the highest-ranking Asian American politician in U.S. history. The letter was likely one of the last ones signed by Sen. Inouye before his death in December 2012.

Let’s get to the letters: Continue reading »

Bryan on Scouting

The official blog of Scouting magazine, a publication of the Boy Scouts of America.