Things You Should Know Archives

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.

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.

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.

The importance of commissioner service

December 15, 2022 12

There’s only one problem with commissioners: There aren’t enough of them. The BSA’s enrollment is on the rise, which is a good thing. That also brings with it the need for more commissioners.

Council’s winter camping program raises awareness about the dangers of opioids

November 30, 2022 0

As part of the Scout Out Opioids program, Scouts and their families learned about the dangers of opioids abuse and misuse from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

Kids are losing their ability to see far away — here’s how Scouting can help

November 28, 2022 6

Pediatric ophthalmologist Noha Ekdawi says spending time outdoors — specifically, in the sunlight — is the best way to prevent myopia, or nearsightedness, in children. What do most Scout units do several times a month? Go outside!

What to do when your child is no longer a Scout: A Wood Badge participant weighs in

November 17, 2022 14

“When my son left Scouts, I was left with an empty feeling,” writes Charles Brown, a longtime volunteer with the Shenandoah Area Council. “What do I do now?”

Study confirms what we already know: Scouting is good for you

November 7, 2022 9

The latest study shows that adults who were Scouts as children in the 1950s and 1960s were 35% more likely than their peers to report being in excellent health after they turned 50.

How this BSA digital safety awareness video fits in with Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October 31, 2022 0

For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a division of the Department of Homeland Security, is encouraging more people to try to be the former, and not the latter. The initiative ties in nicely with what the BSA is already teaching its older youth members: How to stay safe online in part by securing your passwords.

Expert shares how to increase the chances of earning a scholarship by writing a good essay

October 5, 2022 0

When reviewing applications for the more than 60 college scholarships offered by the National Eagle Scout Association, a clear trend emerged: What consistently tripped up otherwise excellent applications more than anything else was the essay.