Tag Archives: boy scouts of america

moore-rescue

Oklahoma Scouts and Scouters ready to assist after tornadoes

21 May 2013

14 Comments

Some rights reserved by NASA Goddard Photo and Video

Some rights reserved by NASA Goddard Photo and Video

Updated 1:03 p.m. May 14 with info on need for volunteers at May 21 event. See bottom of post.

Eldon Fossey, Scoutmaster of Troop 75 in Moore, Okla., was at work when the deadly tornadoes passed through yesterday, killing at least 24 and leaving horrific damage.

As soon as they got the all-clear, Eldon’s boss told everyone to leave. It took Eldon two hours to make the seven-mile drive home.

Thankfully, his house was three-quarters of a mile north of the tornado’s path. Other people in his life weren’t so lucky. A Scout in Eldon’s troop and Eldon’s brother-in-law had their houses completely leveled. When I talked to Eldon, he was on his way to his mother-in-law’s house, which was still standing but no longer structurally sound.

Understandably, Eldon had little to report as he focuses on helping his immediate family. But, thankfully, he didn’t know of any deaths in his 50-member troop.  Continue reading »

indy-500-teaser

Photos of BSA IndyCar and driver Justin Wilson will rev you up for Indy 500

20 May 2013

5 Comments

It’s officially race week. Yes, the Indy 500 — aka “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” — roars to life on Sunday.

Fans of racing, fast cars, or major sporting events are probably already planning to tune in and watch the Indianapolis 500 (noon Sunday on ABC).

But here’s a reason for fans of Scouting to watch: The No. 19 Boy Scouts of America car, driven by Justin Wilson and provided at no cost to the BSA through the generosity of Dale Coyne Racing, has a good chance to do really well. The car was the second-fastest Honda engine qualifier, and Wilson has proven himself a successful driver on big stages like this one.

On that note, Indy 500 is easily the biggest national sporting event of the year from which we can spread the news that Scouting is relevant, exciting, and perfectly linked to science, technology, engineering, and math.

Think about it. Some 6.8 million viewers watched last year’s race. If this year’s race gets similar numbers, that’s a lot of eyeballs seeing the words “Be a Scout!” and the website BeAScout.org zoom around the Indy oval. And if the car does well, that’s even more air time.

It’s essentially free advertising, all made possible by the gifts of Dale and Gail Coyne.

All this week, Wilson and the Dale Coyne Racing team are preparing the car for Sunday. And John R. Fulton Jr., former director of photography for Scouting and Boys’ Life magazines, is at the speedway to document their preparations. He sent in these great photos:  Continue reading »

summer-camp-fun

10 tips for helping Scouts balance fun and advancement at summer camp

14 May 2013

9 Comments

At summer camp, what’s more important for Scouts, advancement or fun?

Trick question. Scouts who attend the best summer camps and have effective Scout leaders guiding them don’t have to choose.

For these Scouts, advancement is part of the fun.

That said, there are always Scouts who take it to the extreme. There are the overachievers, who cram their schedule with merit badge classes and don’t leave any time to visit the waterfront, horse around with friends, or relax.

And then there are Scouts who do exactly the opposite, choosing to wander around the camp all week or just stay in their campsite and play cards.

Part of the responsibility for maximizing a boy’s time at summer camp falls on you, the Scout leader. With that in mind, here are 10 ways you can maximize both fun and advancement at summer camp this year. They come courtesy of our Facebook friends. Continue reading »

Brock,Wayne

Boy Scouts of America names its next Chief Scout Executive

21 May 2012

30 Comments

Like rare patches? How about one only 11 men have ever worn?

Today, we learned the identity of the next man to join the impressive fraternity of Chief Scout Executives that started with Scouting legend James E. West. (See the full list below.)

The Chief Scout Executive Selection Committee announced it has chosen Wayne Brock as the next Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America.

On Sept. 1, 2012, he’ll take office and become just the 12th chief in the BSA’s 102 years.

Continue reading »

6903-CR2-0818

PHOTOS: BSA’s IndyCar makes its 2012 debut. And then …

27 March 2012

1 Comment

Let me give you the bad news first.

Driver James Jakes and his No. 19 car crashed in Sunday’s race after just 19 laps.

So what’s the good news? That St. Petersburg, Fla., event was the first of 15 races this season. So Jakes and the BSA Racing team have plenty of time to turn it around.

And maybe better news for you fans of Team BSA, I’ve got some exclusive photos from last weekend’s action. More on that later.

Continue reading »

balloon-2

Tethered hot-air ballooning and the BSA

16 March 2012

12 Comments

Ready to take your pack, troop, team, or crew to new heights?

Schedule a ride in a tethered hot-air balloon. The activity, which previously wasn’t approved, was officially OK’d this week by the BSA’s Health and Safety team.

Notice I said tethered hot-air ballooning — not the kind where you ride for miles like the Wizard of Oz. Unlike traditional hot-air ballooning, the tethered variety uses at least three lines connected to the ground to keep the balloon from moving horizontally. The BSA has set the maximum permitted height at 70 feet.

Now, don’t go buying a balloon and trying this yourself. The balloon must be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, and the pilot must be certified and insured.

Before planning a ride, familiarize yourself with some key requirements:

Continue reading »

vote-liberty-bell

Can packs, troops, teams, or crews participate in political rallies?

8 March 2012

31 Comments

The Boy Scouts of America might be the most patriotic organization in the U.S.

But don’t take that to mean we endorse any one political party.

The same applies to your pack, troop, team, or crew. You and your Scouts should Do Your Duty to Country but not by endorsing any one candidate.

During election years, though, the line between patriotism and political favoritism becomes thin, making it important to remind you of the BSA’s official policy on Scout participation in political rallies.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions and the BSA’s official answers: Continue reading »

Photo by Lewis Jacobs/NBC

WATCH: How did our favorite Eagle Scout singer do on ‘The Voice’?

14 February 2012

11 Comments

Pip didn’t just sing last night.

He “absolutely blew the roof off the place,” said host Carson Daly.

Phillip Arnold, known on the show as Pip, gave a powerful rendition of The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun” during last night’s episode. Continue reading »

MB-top20

The 20 most (and least) earned merit badges of 2011

25 January 2012

79 Comments

What were the hottest merit badges last year?

I’ve got the answer. Maybe.

So first, a caveat: The friendly folks at the Supply Division tell me there’s no way to determine exact numbers of merit badges earned. That info is tracked by troops — not the National Council.

That said, by examining sales figures, we can get some idea which badges sold more than others in 2011. I’m thinking that if a Scouter buys a merit badge emblem in a Scout Shop or at ScoutStuff.org, chances are good that a Scout recently earned the badge.

After examining the 2011 sales list, here’s what I’ve come up with for the 20 top-selling merit badges of 2011:

Continue reading »

bsa-mls2

Major League Soccer and the BSA: A perfect one-two

12 January 2012

2 Comments

Teamwork. As important in Scouting as it is in Major League Soccer. And both organizations strive to Be Prepared for the future.

Not a stretch, then, to understand why Scouting and the nation’s top professional soccer league announced today they’re on the same team. By forging a special collaboration with the nation’s top youth organization, MLS will use its network to support the BSA’s “youth-focused program of athleticism, character, and leadership.”

Beginning at the start of the soccer season in March, Scouts will receive special access to MLS games, players, coaches, and executives through unique on- and off-field programming designed specifically for Scout packs, troops, teams, and crews. Continue reading »