August 2012 - Aaron On Scouting

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

August 31, 2012 1 Comment

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

Credit cards welcome: How to take plastic for popcorn

August 29, 2012 49 Comments

Cash or check only? Not anymore. Thanks to some handy new tech tools, it’s possible to accept credit cards at your unit’s next popcorn sale, carwash, or other money-earning project. That eliminates a big reason customers

What can this Boy Scout marketing prodigy teach you about popcorn sales?

August 28, 2012 29 Comments

Donovan Fisher isn’t your typical door-to-door salesman. “The Popcorn Scout,” as he’s now known, is a 12-year-old marketing prodigy who in 2011 sold $9,208 in Trail’s End popcorn and chocolate pretzels, ranking 14th among all Boy

Help reimagine the next generation of Cubcast

August 21, 2012 5 Comments

Call it a temporary role reversal. The team behind Cubcast — which Cub Scout leaders listen to every month for practical tips — is now listening to you. I told you all about the monthly, BSA-produced

Found ’em! Search and Rescue merit badge requirements released

August 20, 2012 34 Comments

The search is over. The hotly anticipated debut of Search and Rescue merit badge — the BSA’s 130th current merit badge — has finally arrived. Search and Rescue merit badge, or SAR for short, has an

A bold new beginning for a Michigan council at the Crossroads

August 17, 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

Because the BSA can’t read your mind …

August 16, 2012 10 Comments

Ever wonder who signs off on major changes to the Scouting program? Instead of wondering, why not be one of those people? Yep, by joining the Research & Program Innovation team’s Scouting Research Panel, you’ll be

July-August ‘Where Am I?’ location—and winner!—revealed

August 15, 2012 3 Comments

Researching far-off destinations for the “Where Am I?” contests is one of my favorite things to do while on the job. Why? Because I always find myself in awe of how many cool places exist

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

August 14, 2012 265 Comments

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

Join the Eagle celebration live from your couch

August 10, 2012 0 Comments

Can’t be in Texas for tomorrow’s big Eagle Scout party? I’ve got the next best thing: Watch the Eagle Scout Heritage Celebration streaming live to your computer. At 11 a.m. (Central) on Saturday, Aug. 11,