December 2012 - On Scouting

Greatest hits: My 12 most-read blog posts of 2012

December 31, 2012 17

For Scouts and Scouters, 2012 had plenty of ups — and a couple of downs. We welcomed changes: new merit badges, new Eagle Scout requirements, a new Chief Scout Executive, and a new high-adventure base in

Monthly Core Values? Roundtables? Let Cubcast explain

December 28, 2012 6

For new Cub Scouters, the terms “monthly core values” and “roundtable” might as well be in a foreign language. We’ve all been there, and Cubcast knows it. For newbies or anyone needing a refresher in

ScoutCast: A BSA podcast, all grown up

December 27, 2012 17

Scouters love to shoot the breeze about the next campout, newest merit badge, or tastiest recipe. But when someone brings up a more-sensitive topic at a roundtable or leader meeting, it’s often greeted by silence.

At the Rose Parade, remembering a Life Scout whose legacy lives on in others

December 27, 2012 3

How’s this for a busy life? Quinn Alec Hoover, a 17-year-old from Hagerstown, Md., was an honor student, band member, soccer player, runner, award-winning Indian dancer, swimming instructor, church volunteer, and Life Scout. He touched

BSA Chief visits Newtown, presents Spirit of the Eagle Award to Tiger Cubs’ parents

December 20, 2012 25

In a touching gesture, the two Tiger Cubs killed in last week’s shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School have been awarded the Spirit of the Eagle Award. BSA Chief Scout Executive Wayne Brock and other

Two Connecticut shooting victims were Tiger Cubs; here’s how to help

December 17, 2012 97

It breaks my heart to report that the horrendous school shooting in Connecticut has hit the Scouting family. The Boy Scouts of America learned that two of the victims, 7-year-old Chase Kowalski and 6-year-old Benjamin Wheeler,

Merit system: What you can do at the 2013 jamboree

December 11, 2012 4

Staff spots are filling fast for next summer’s national Scout jamboree. And if you want to be among the first counselors to teach a merit badge at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, now’s the time to

Youth Protection: It really does begin with YOU

December 6, 2012 14

You might not enjoy reading this. But it could be the most important thing you’ll read today. As stated in The Boy Scout Handbook, “Child abuse is a serious problem in our society, and unfortunately,

Boston harbors some top-class Scouts and Scouters

December 5, 2012 6

Some Good Turns are truly great. Take the impressive individuals from the Boston Minutemen Council, who traveled 300 miles to help fellow Americans who had been affected by superstorm Sandy. Last weekend, they loaded 75 Scouts

An easy way to honor one of your everyday heroes

December 4, 2012 2

The heroes I know don’t wear capes, and they can’t fly. Their utility belts hold pocket knives, not grappling hooks. But the heroes I know often have secret identities. That is, they’re the volunteers who