Aaron Derr, Author at Aaron On Scouting

Research shows college students lack life skills; Scouting can help with that

January 10, 2023 2

Young adults these days are struggling with their mental health, possibly in part because they never learned to be independent as children.

Passive recruiting: What it is, and how you can make it work for you

January 9, 2023 1

Join Scouting nights are a big deal — and always will be. But the great thing about passive recruiting is you can easily work it into many of your unit’s regularly scheduled year-round events, with little extra effort from anyone.

The gear you need to survive: Survivorman shares his favorites

January 6, 2023 1

“When faced with the concept of surviving in the wilderness, it is very tempting to want to carry the ‘ultimate’ survival kit. However, knowing what to take with you is tricky, given the variables involved in outdoor adventure.”

1 million and growing: BSA membership is on the rise

January 5, 2023 8

I’ve been authorized to announce that the BSA has reached its membership goal of 2022, with a couple of weeks to spare. On Thursday of last week, the BSA’s youth membership surpassed 1,025,000.

NFL strength coach, Eagle Scout helps fund Philmont scholarship program

January 4, 2023 3

When Joe Gibson, a longtime Scout leader in the San Angelo, Texas, area died last January, his family thought long and hard about the best way to memorialize his life. Then, it came to them:

BSA certified angler instructor extols the virtues of ice fishing

January 3, 2023 0

Mike McNett, a BSA certified angling instructor and world champion fisherman, caught the bug when he would go out on a frozen lake when he was a kid. Now, he devotes much of his time to helping Scouts have some of those same experiences.

Eight ways to make your resolutions stick in the New Year

December 29, 2022 0

Whatever your New Year’s resolutions might be — losing weight, getting fit, saving money, getting organized, recruiting more Scouts, delegating more tasks to troop committee members … whatever — just thinking you can is not enough to get you there. Thoughts are fleeting, and it’s easy to think negatively about lack of progress.

Greatest hits: The 10 most-read blog posts of 2022

December 27, 2022 0

Thanks to you, our humble little blog has kept on humming, and we’re honored that you continue to click on our stories and send us ideas for things to write about in the future. As we prepare to turn the page to 2023, we’re going to take one last look back on 2022. Here are the top 10 most-read posts of this year.

Scouting’s core leadership awards can help you be a better leader

December 23, 2022 0

Since kids don’t grow up overnight, it can sometimes be hard to tell from week to week how much of a difference you’re making as a Scouting volunteer. The BSA’s training awards and keys can help you track your progress and help you be more successful.

Looking for Chanukah activities? The National Jewish Committee on Scouting has you covered

December 22, 2022 2

The National Jewish Committee on Scouting’s Chanukah Program Helps guide provides activities suitable for campouts, unit meetings, den meetings or any observance at a religious institution. The document, created by Rabbi Rachmiel Tobesman, a volunteer with the Baltimore Area Council, and further developed by the committee, is a treasure trove of activities suitable for families with kids of all ages.